UK Community Foundations

03/06/2026

🌟 New opportunity to become our Head of Children and Young People 🌟

This exciting new UKCF role will lead a big new national programme, working with community foundations across the UK.

We're seeking someone who knows the children and young people's world: the funding, the policy, the organisations doing the work on the ground.

If you have solid programme management experience - ideally in grant making but possibly in another context - understand the importance of place, can build relationships, and would enjoy shaping something new with a focus on learning and influence, we would love for you to apply.

Learn more and apply before 11.55pm Tuesday 16th June:
💡https://app.beapplied.com/apply/hurta3t7b0

If you know someone who would be great for this role, please share!

20/05/2026

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) UK Local Giving Report 2026 is out today, sharing insights from a survey of more than 12,000 people across the UK and featuring the community foundation perspective from our Chief Executive Emma de Closset.

The findings reflect something community foundations see every day across the UK: local giving is closely connected to people feeling part of their community and seeing the impact of charities and voluntary groups around them.

The report provides a reminder that giving is about more than just money – it's about trust, belonging and pride in the places people call home.

Read the report: https://www.ukcommunityfoundations.org/insights/caf-uk-local-giving-report-2026

20/05/2026

12/05/2026

This week, we are celebrating A Million Acts of Hope.

There are millions of hopeful people doing remarkable things in communities throughout the UK right now - giving their time, their energy, their care - often without recognition.

They are exactly who a was made for. ❤️

Community foundations are fortunate to spend time with hopeful people every day. From the UKCF team, thank you!

15/04/2026

💡 The independent report of the Know Your Neighbourhood (KYN) Fund has been published.

KYN funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has aimed to widen participation in volunteering and tackle loneliness in 27 disadvantaged areas across England.

Additionally, since the programme’s extension last year, funded projects have also been supported to focus on delivering activities which are reducing loneliness stigma and building community cohesion.

As part of this multi-partner initiative, nine community foundations distributed a total of 190 grants between January 2023 and March 2026 to local community-led projects supporting volunteering, social connection and community cohesion.

The evaluation report shares learning on volunteering, accessibility, place‑based delivery and flexible funding approaches, alongside insight into the challenges of measuring loneliness.

Read our main findings and access the full report:
https://www.ukcommunityfoundations.org/news/independent-evaluation-report-published-for-the-know-your-neighbourhood-fund

Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside | Cumbria Community Foundation | Point North | Norfolk Community Foundation | Community Foundation North East | Heart of England Community Foundation | Cambridgeshire Community Foundation | Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire | Two Ridings Community Foundation

13/04/2026

Today marks an important day for local philanthropy following the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's launch of its ‘Our place to give’ plan in Sunderland this afternoon.

'Our place to give: a plan for growing place-based philanthropy' recognises the importance of place‑based philanthropy as a way of connecting giving with local priorities, particularly in places that have historically received lower levels of investment.

It provides a strong national signal that place‑based philanthropy should be nurtured, encouraged and supported over time. It creates a framework for the UK Government to champion this approach by learning, coordinating and working differently.

Additionally, the publication includes case studies from Community Foundation North East and Northamptonshire Community Foundation, among other charities.

Across the UK, community foundations support community‑led action, working with MPs, local authorities, businesses and philanthropists to help strengthen local areas.

The opportunity now is to ensure that practice reflects local realities and builds on the ecosystems that already support community giving.

Read our full response:
https://www.ukcommunityfoundations.org/news/an-important-day-for-place-based-philanthropy

Thank you to Southwick Neighbourhood Youth Project for hosting us all. 🙌

08/04/2026

📣 Lead the Change is now open to expressions of interest

Lead the Change is a new, three‑year initiative supporting young people to strengthen relationships, foster understanding and build belonging in their communities.

The programme is delivered in partnership with BBC Children in Need, alongside Co-op Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Henry Smith Foundation, Joseph Levy Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Postcode Justice Trust and The National Lottery Community Fund, and will be delivered locally by 17 community foundations across the UK.

Find out more about the programme, eligibility and how to apply (please note that grants will be limited to one-two per eligible place): https://www.ukcommunityfoundations.org/how-we-work/our-partnerships/lead-the-change

07/04/2026

Across the charity and community sector, conversations about money are happening every day, often in ways that aren’t formally recognised.

Whether it’s helping someone navigate rising costs, manage bills, or access support, this work is critical.

The Money and Pensions Service are inviting people across the UK to take part in a short survey to help them understand these experiences and improve the support available.

If this sounds like you (or your team), you're invited to take part in this 10-minute survey:
https://online1.snapsurveys.com/HarlowConsulting-MaPS

Your insights will help the Money and Pensions Service better understand:

• what’s happening on the ground
• the challenges people face
• what support, tools or training would make a difference

Please share with others in your networks who support people with money-related challenges.

We know many communities are struggling with finance right now. Their free Money Helper service has lots of free advice and tips that can be passed on to people you know who may need support: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en

27/03/2026

Small charities thrive when the people behind them feel supported, motivated and able to do their best work. Yet many organisations are under real pressure: limited budgets, rising demand and roles that stretch far beyond a single job description.

Robert Payne (Prospectus) has shared this short guide with us on inclusive hiring, realistic roles and keeping people for the long term:

Robert Payne, Principal Consultant with a specialist focus on grant making, shares some reflections on the art of recruiting and retaining staff, drawn from years of recruitment experience supporting the charity sector in the UK and overseas.

25/03/2026

This month, we joined our national funding partners and participating organisations to learn first-hand from practices across the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, in partnership with Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Our Director of Partnerships and Insight, Sam Grimmett Batt, and Heart of England Community Foundation's Senior Manager - Programmes, Shamiela Ahmed, talked about our role as place-based partners.

Shamiela shared how collaborative, place‑based partnerships in Wolverhampton have grown organically through trust, peer support and genuine connection across 12 local organisations. As she put it: “Geography gave it the content, but it’s actually the relationships that made it work.”

Our other participating community foundations include Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Lancashire, Community Foundation for Merseyside, Community Foundation North East, Cumbria Community Foundation, Norfolk Community Foundation, Point North, Community Foundation for Staffordshire, and Two Ridings Community Foundation.

The volunteers and staff at community-led charities and groups are the beating heart of their communities, connecting people, being a shoulder of unwavering support, and creating the safe spaces and opportunities for community cohesion.

A special thank you to Victoria Myers at Groundwork NE & Cumbria in Barrow-in-Furness, Rachel Laycock at BloomInArt in Hartlepool, Melissa Guest at Sandwell Libraries in the West Midlands, Nicky Iginla and Susan Paul at Caring and Sharing Charity Organisation in Rochdale, Phill Fairhurst at Pink Voices in Blackpool, Sarah Catterall at Sporting Pen*stone in Barnsley, and Grace Stubbings at We Make Sound in Hartlepool, for popping over to share your thoughts! 🎥