Devon Community Foundation

19/10/2026

Devon Community Foundation awards £123,353 to Take A Part CIO in Plymouth through Lead the Change, a funding programme supporting young people to build stronger, more connected communities. A total of £2.6 million has been awarded to 21 organisations across the UK to support local projects that will empower young people to build stronger connections within their communities, address division and drive positive social change.

The newly funded organisations will work alongside young people to create safe and inclusive spaces, support youth-led social action, build leadership skills, and encourage meaningful participation in community life. Through workshops, mentoring, community projects and opportunities to influence decision-making, young people will be empowered to challenge harmful narratives, strengthen positive relationships and drive change in their local communities.

Vanessa Johnson, Joint Head of Grants, at Devon Community Foundation said: “The funding into Plymouth will enable Take a Part CIO to develop Ocean City Influencers, supporting young people in Plymouth’s East End to become community leaders. By exploring their community’s heritage, environmental challenges and priorities, young people will also develop the skills, confidence and connections to champion the issues that matter to them, strengthen relationships across generations and play an active role in shaping the future of their communities”.

Kim Wide, MBE, CEO at Take a Part CIO, said: “We are thrilled to receive this investment through Lead the Change to expand our Ocean City Influencers programme in Plymouth’s East End. Young people are not just the future of our communities; they are active leaders right now. This three-year funding allows us to hand over real decision-making power, equipping local young people with the digital, creative and leadership skills they need to drive positive social change, challenge local climate and social challenges, and shape a thriving future on their own terms."

Lead the Change is delivered in collaboration with many partners including BBC Children in Need UK Community Foundations and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Take a Part

16/10/2026

It was great to meet up with everyone!

Collaboration in practice: Today, CEOs and Chairs from community foundations across the South West of England gathered to share ideas, experiences and learning from their places, joined by our Director of Field Building, Jo Williams.

That exchange of knowledge between places is at the heart of a strong community foundation movement, helping us learn together while staying rooted in the communities we support.



Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation | Somerset Community Foundation | Dorset Community Foundation | Gloucestershire Community Foundation | Quartet Community Foundation | Devon Community Foundation | Cornwall Community Foundation

14/10/2026

DCF has just published The Good Food Connections report. This report offers insights one year into a two-year grantmaking programme on Food Hubs in Devon. Six place-based organisations have been focused on food as a means of connecting and supporting people across their communities, as well as exploring different models of facilitating wider engagement from other sources of help, including DCC’s public health team. The report features case studies reflecting on experience and learning from year one, and aims to ‘speak to the system’ in helping understand challenges within the local food system, but also as part of our wider network of support for families and communities.

https://devoncf.com/report_publication/good-food-connections/

Project Food Love Food CIC Involve - Voluntary Action in Mid Devon Wellmoor Knead to Connect Stepping Stones Food and Wellbeing

This report offers insights one year into a two-year grantmaking programme on Food Hubs in Devon.

05/10/2026

Our latest News is out! Find about what funds we have available, hear from Molly about her first six months in the role as Head of Development & Philanthropy and find out what our Insight Team have been involved in.

If you don't receive our News direct to your inbox every two months, why not sign up?

https://devoncf.com/newsletter/dcf-newsletter-september-october/

05/10/2026

Ooh we do like tea and we do like mending, We do like tinkering and we like befriending.

Launching today!

Free weekly 'Tea n Tinkering' sessions at the Moor Imagination Centre in Buckfastleigh. Every Friday from 10am to 1pm.

These free to attend sessions will provide a welcoming space for people to come together to spend time in the company of others drinking tea, making and mending. We’ll work with a variety of materials using a range of different hand tools. You will have the opportunity to work on your own projects, or to get involved with caring for and improving our space here at MIC.

Open to all aged 18+. No prior experience is necessary, but an interest in general making and using your hands is helpful. If you are living with neurodiversity (diagnosed or otherwise) then we would particularly love to hear from you.

If you, or someone you know, would like to join us, then please pop by to see us or send us an email: [email protected].

Thanks to Devon Community Foundation for making this project possible.

30/09/2026

Following six months in post, Head of Development & Philanthropy, Molly Southwood, reflects on her work with professional advisers.

“Ultimately, good philanthropy is about connection: connecting the aspirations of donors with the needs of communities and making sure that generosity reaches the people and organisations where it can make the greatest difference”.

https://devoncf.com/blog/connecting-giving-with-the-people-and-communities-who-need-it-most/

30/09/2026

NEWS: Devon Community Foundation awards nearly £650,000 to projects in ten North Devon parishes.

Today marks a huge milestone. September 30th officially celebrates ten years of the Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund. Managed by Devon Community Foundation (DCF), this fund has spent a decade supporting communities across ten benefitting parishes in North Devon. Since 2016, £646,337 has been awarded via DCF. From transformative capital projects, such as the redevelopment of Meshaw Church and the upgrade of Rackenford Village Shop CIC, to grassroots community activities, such as Fabula Arts’ Remembrance Day creative workshops, many local initiatives have been able to flourish, thanks to this funding.

Philippa Knott Kos, Joint Head of Grants at DCF, added: “Thanks go to everyone involved including our partners at Renewable Energy Systems (RES Group), who manage the wind farm, our dedicated community panel members and all the local groups delivering great projects in their areas. People, often dedicated volunteers, have come together from across a very rural area of the county, taken great ideas and made them a reality. The projects local communities are delivering are making a lasting, positive impact on our rural region. With the fund set to run for a further decade at least, there are many more years of community growth and collaboration ahead”.

Jeff Souch, Chair of Meshaw Parish Meeting, said: “The Batsworthy Cross Fund is a huge asset to this part of North Devon and everyone who lives here. For projects big and small, it can help give the funding boost needed to make them a reality. I urge all eligible groups to consider seeking grant assistance. Working with Devon Community Foundation enabled my village to put in place a Community Hub that had been sought for many years. It has really made a difference to our community".

Devon Community Foundation has thirty years’ experience in supporting individuals, companies and other groups, including public sector organisations, to distribute funds to their local communities. Contact DCF if you would like to know more about how we can help manage funds to meet local needs.

For more information about the Batsworthy Cross Fund, please go to: https://devoncf.com/grants/batsworthy-cross-wind-farm-community-fund/

29/09/2026

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-devon-dementia-conference-2026-tickets-1997141200091

Westpoint Arena, Exeter, Devon
Friday, October 2 • 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Join the Devon Dementia Conference - a day of inspiring speakers, new insights and ideas to shape the future of dementia support in Devon. Be part of the Devon Dementia Conference 2026. Whether you work in health or social care, support people living with dementia, research, shape policy, or have personal experience of dementia, we look forward to welcoming you for a day of learning and connection.

The day will bring together an inspiring line-up of speakers, including Professor Sube Banerjee and Dr Carol Sargent, who will share their research, insights and expertise. The conference will feature a range of interactive activities designed to centre the experiences of carers of people living with dementia. We will share insights, explore emerging approaches, and identify new opportunities to strengthen support, connections, wellbeing and outcomes for carers.

There will also be a special performance from a Dementia Choir, alongside opportunities to connect and network over lunch and refreshments.

With up to 230 delegates attending in person, the event will be live-streamed to audiences across Devon.

Join the Devon Dementia Conference - a day of inspiring speakers, new insights and ideas to shape the future of dementia support in Devon

28/09/2026

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/from-ideas-to-action-building-thriving-high-streets-and-town-centres-tickets-1999488245166

From Ideas to Action: Building Thriving High Streets and Town Centres

For Businesses, Towns, Communities and Stakeholders in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

Online event: Tuesday, October 6. 10 AM - 12 PM

Free Webinar for Devon towns and businesses. Be inspired by communities and local partners that are bringing new life to town centres. Join Devon County Council, Power to Change, businesses and stakeholders for this inspiring webinar. You'll hear real-life examples from 4 fantastic businesses who have helped bring about change in their area, discover practical ideas and explore new opportunities and support to help make change happen in your town. You'll also find out about new funding opportunities that will help communities to transform Devon high streets.

Community-led High Street Innovators
· Kate McKenzie will explain how Power to Change is working with a small number of community businesses to test and learn how community-led high street regeneration projects can be a model for communities everywhere

Community-led regeneration in action
· Hear first-hand from communities that are making a difference in their towns and high streets

· Find out about High Street Rental Auctions as a way of tackling persistently vacant premises in town centres

What’s on the horizon?
· Vicki Bidwell, High Streets Policy Lead, MHCLG will give an insight into government policy direction and the steps being taken to improve high streets
· Find out about support available from Power to Change, Devon County Council, and other local organisations

There will also be the opportunity to join the conversation and ask questions.

Free Webinar for Devon towns and businesses. Be inspired by communities and local partners that are bringing new life to town centres.

28/09/2026

Interesting job