Community Foundation Network

UK Community Foundations (UKCF) is a registered charity that leads a movement of community foundations committed to positive social change in the UK through the development of “community philanthropy”. Community philanthropy involves people from all parts of a community working together locally to use the financial and other resources available to them to improve others’ lives.

Previously Community Foundation Network, in February 2013 CFN relaunched as UK Community Foundations, with a renewed commitment to build thriving communities in the UK. UKCF also has a role as national membership association for community foundations which encompasses negotiating and managing national grant-making and funding opportunities on behalf of its members and providing direct technical assistance to member community foundations through its network. As a membership organisation its work is governed and directed by a board drawn from its members.

With £500m in endowed funds and providing £65m in grants in 2013-14, community foundations manage funds donated by both individuals and organisations, while creating endowments and connecting donors to local needs.

Community foundations are independent registered philanthropic institutions serving geographically defined territory. They act as grant-making foundations, giving grants to support development projects. Their stated mission is to improve the quality of life in a community. They are supported by a broad range of private as well as public donors and seek contributions primarily from inside the community. They are governed by local boards and build capital endowment with the aim to ensure funding capability in perpetuity.

The first community foundation to be founded in the UK was Swindon in 1975. This later merged with the Wiltshire Community Trust to form the present Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon. By 2010 there were 58 community foundations in the United Kingdom that cover 95% of the country.

UKCF was established in 1991 to stimulate the growth of new community foundations, develop and co-ordinate a code of good practice and encourage foundations to share knowledge across the UK. In 2001 the UKCF received major recognition when community foundations were chosen by the Government’s Children and Young People’s Unit as the best partners for the Local Network Fund. In 2003 the UKCF was chosen as the trustee of the Fair Share Trust programme, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund. In 2006 a Quality Accreditation (QA) programme was established by UKCF. The Charity Commission for England and Wales endorses the QA standards and processes in a three-year cycle, which notes the focus on quality in all aspects of community foundation work.

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