New report: Connecting Care
The Care Leavers Programme is a multi-year, match-funded programme designed to support care leavers as they transition into independent adult life.
Generous seed funding from Local Authorities’ Mutual Investment Trust (LAMIT), a shareholder of CCLA, launched the programme in 2024. 17 community foundations around England began connecting with care leaver networks and local authorities to identify gaps and opportunities in their regions.
As the programme expands to 14 new areas - including in Wales and Northern Ireland - with a new donation from the Henry Smith Foundation, our new 'Connecting Care' report shares case studies and experiences so far.
Our impact
For 50 years, community foundations have been working at the heart of UK communities, investing in communities to transform people's lives.
Last year...
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£184m+
was awarded throughout the UK
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32,500
grants supported individuals, groups and charities
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£6.1k
was the average grant size committed across our network
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3,100+
donor advised funds were managed around the UK
Where our funding goes
From setting up clothes banks to providing flood prevention, we work with communities to make good things happen.
In 2024, we helped people, organisations and the Government to invest over £184 million to support local communities to identify and tackle the issues that matter to them.
Funding from 2024 broken down into themes*:
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27% supported health and wellbeing
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23% supported equality and inclusion
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17% supported community development and safety
In addition to the above, community foundations fund a wide range of work on issues that matter, such as disaster responses, climate justice, action to prevent homelessness, isolation and poverty, plus education, arts, culture and heritage, and sports and recreation.
*2023-24 data above submitted by 32 UKCF members
Providing emergency support
Community foundations act quickly and efficiently during an emergency or crisis. In the past five years alone, community foundations have:
Served as the national distributor of the Coronavirus Appeal, launched the Communities in Crisis Appeal in response to the cost-of-living crisis, distributed emergency relief for people escaping conflict in Afghanistan and Ukraine, launched a public appeal when the tragic knife attack took place in Southport, resourced communities affected by riots, acted quickly to raise funds for areas affected by floods, and have provided ongoing emergency support every winter.
Investing now for the future
The strength of community foundations lies in balancing today's actions with tomorrow's ambitions. This is why each community foundation ensures its funds are managed responsibly and sustainably.
To date, our network has collectively distributed just over £2.1 billion throughout the UK. In the last five years, UKCF's partnerships have contributed over £114 million towards our network's grant making, and we are uniquely placed to build collaborative relationships that will ensure vital support for decades to come.
Our latest reports
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New report: Connecting CareUKCF's Care Leavers Programme is providing multi-year support for care leavers around the UK to survive and thrive as adults. The new Connecting Care report shares case studies and experiences so far.
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All UKCF publicationsFrom our response to the Coronavirus pandemic to the role of philanthropy in the UK, you can find all our publications here.
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UKCF annual reportsAs a registered charity, we take transparency seriously. Take a look at our annual reports which show UKCF's adaption and evolution over the years.
UK Community Foundations is a registered charity in England and Wales. Registered company in England and Wales . Registered address: UK Community Foundations, Northgate Business Centre, 38-40 Northgate, Newark, NG24 1EZ. Registered company no. 2651777 | Registered charity no. 1004630. Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved.