Enabling investment in communities to transform people's lives

We work with community foundations to inspire place-based philanthropy, bring communities together and fund vital work in neighbourhoods across the UK.

See our impact
Funded: Apparelxchange in Glasgow is a social enterprise that repurposes clothes for local families
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Funded: ASAN Wood Saints in Wolverhampton helps people build skills and connect
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Funded: Equal Arts in Cowgate supports older people and those living with dementia
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Funded: Fairplay in North Derbyshire supports children and young people with disabilities and additional needs
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The London Marathon is just one of the ways people are raising community foundation funds
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Funded: Purple Rose Stockton connects isolated communities and individuals through food and social activities
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Funded: Sunflower Women's Centre in Plymouth is a safe space for women experiencing complex needs, trauma and abuse
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Funded: The Acorn Farm Project in Derry (or Londonderry) teaches families skills sustaining local nature
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Funded: The Harbour Project in Swindon is a safe, supportive space for individuals who seek asylum or have refugee status
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Funded: The Opening Doors Project in Liverpool is run by volunteers connecting locals through food and activities
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In 2024-25

  • £183m+

    was distributed by community foundations throughout the UK

  • 38,000+

    grants were awarded to a wide range of community activity

  • 34%

    of funding supported mental and physical health and wellbeing

  • £5,500

    was the average size of our grants, supporting grassroots organisations

     

  

We are here for the long term

Community foundations have been helping communities in the UK for 50 years. 

Our endowment model means that we can remain as sustainable channels of support to people and communities all year round, and we can guarantee to be there for communities for many more decades.  

Who we are

  

What is place-based philanthropy?

Community foundations encourage local giving by bringing people together in common purpose to address local needs.  Each community foundation is deeply rooted in place, drawing on decades of knowledge, relationships and expertise in the areas where they operate.

At the national level, UKCF works with strategic partners to pilot new neighbourhood ideas and scale existing solutions across the UK, making sure resources reach people and communities where they are needed the most.

How we work

  

Find a foundation

Community foundations are proud to be rooted in UK communities, working closely with fantastic voluntary and charitable organisations that are the heartbeat of community life. 

Get involved and learn about your local community foundation by entering your postcode on our map.

Find your community foundation

  

Explore UKCF