FAQ
What is a Community Foundation?
The Community Foundation is an independent non-profit grant-making organisation that provides a one-stop solution for those who want their giving to be for the lasting benefit of their local community. Our aim is to make sure that all charitable donations or community investments are directed only to local groups or projects that need funding and will make a genuine measurable difference to the community and people they serve.
Community Foundations allow donors to specify how, where and over what period of time their money is spent. Gifts of cash, shares, trusts, bequests and property are pooled in multipurpose endowment funds, creating a capital sum whose earnings address donors' specific interests.
What is the Community Foundation’s origins?
The first community foundation was established in Cleveland, Ohio, USA in 1914. Since then, they have spread round the world. In 2005, there were at least 1,175 Community Foundations operating in 46 countries, all focusing on local needs.
How many Community Foundations are there in the UK?
There are now 56, covering over 90 per cent of the UK population has access to one.
How are they different from other charities?
Community Foundations are unique mechanisms for giving to charity. Their flexibility and personalised services allow donors to specify how, where and over what time period their money is spent. Community Foundations offer an opportunity to channel help towards meeting local needs and allow donors to see tangible results in their local community.
What funds do UK Community Foundations hold?
They distribute ore than £70milliion of grants per year to 18,000 community organisations.
How do Community Foundations fund their work?
Sustainable development is the eventual aim of all community foundations, with most financing their work from their own resources.
Community Foundations charge major donors for the grant-making done on their behalf. Donors agree that this costs less than the time and money that doing this work themselves would involve. Many Foundations have members who pay an annual subscription towards running costs and/or do local fundraising.
Who do Community Foundations make grants to?
Most grants support local community groups and voluntary organisations.
How is grant-making administered?
A board of trustees, drawn from all sectors of the local community, governs Community Foundations' grant-making. Community Foundations also draw on expert advice from the community by involving volunteers in grant committees. Comprehensive grant making policies and procedures, combined with extensive knowledge and understanding of the local community and its needs, ensure grants are targeted responsibly and carefully.
How can donors benefit from making a donation?
As well as the obvious savings on administration, donors can choose to give visibly and benefit from the added prestige of having a dedicated charitable fund or give anonymously – and the Community Foundation will ensure complete confidentiality. Donors also have the ability to select specific charities or choose an area of interest to benefit from the fund. In addition to all this, tax relief is also available in a number of different forms depending on the size of the donation and the status of the donor.
How do I apply for a grant?
It couldn’t be easier – just move to the ‘Grants Available’ link and follow the instructions.