A Community Foundation works to promote philanthropy within a specific geographical area. It does this by raising new monies to build an endowment fund from individual and corporate donors, making grants from the investment income and other funds to community groups tackling local disadvantage. Over time it builds up a collection of endowed funds from many donors working with them to meet their charitable aims and the needs of their community.

In essence a Community Foundation is a vehicle for corporate and other giving which can act locally and sensitively to help build social capital over the long term. The concept originated in the United States and Canada over eighty years ago. Many North American Foundations now command assets worth billions of dollars, making millions of dollars of grants each year. The Community Foundation model is still relatively new in the UK with the first Foundations established in 1986. There are now over 60 Community Foundations in the UK holding £100 million in endowment and making grants of over £53 million a year. This collectively makes Community Foundations the fifth largest grant-maker in the UK today.

Community Foundations in the UK are all members of the Community Foundation Network (CFN). Established in 1991, CFN represents its members at a national and international level; negotiates and manages national grant making and funding opportunities on behalf of its members, examples of which include the Lottery Fairshare and Comic and Sports Relief. In addition CFN disseminates best practise throughout the network and provides individual support as needed.

For further information about Community Foundation Network:

Community Foundation Network
Arena House,
66-68 Pentonville Road ,
London N1 9HS
Tel: (020) 7713 9326, Fax: (020) 7713 9327
Email: Community Foundation Network
Web: Community Foundation Network