• Local knowledge is considered the heart of the work of Quartet Community Foundation. Official sources of knowledge, such as strategy documents, statistics and census data, local press reports and newsletters, provide some insight into local needs. But the most important source is the foundation’s constant contact with local people who are experts in their field, who live in disadvantaged communities and who work in other organisations. Like other community foundations, Quartet is also acutely aware of emerging needs because they are immediately reflected in applications for funding. Community foundations are often the only place that people can seek help when new needs arise.The cumulative result of all these sources of knowledge is an unrivalled degree of informed, independent insight into grass-roots needs that helps to guide the giving of local donors.

• Like all community foundations,The Birmingham Community  Foundation uses in-depth local knowledge to support the diverse communities that it serves. This knowledge has enabled targeted funding of groups such as play sessions for special needs children predominantly from the Pakistani community, a mentoring project for young people of African-Caribbean descent and therapeutic horticulture for people living in deprived areas with no gardens or local green spaces.

• SPACES is a small local group that provides free weekly drop-in sessions for young parents and their pre-school children in a high need housing estate in Haslemere. Surrey Community Foundation provided a grant to fund its running costs at a critical time when the parents were starting to develop their confidence and skills and taking on the running and development of the group. Building capacity and skills can take time. Support from the community foundation has enabled both the parents and the group to grow and develop.

• The floods of June 2007 were the worst in living memory and South Yorkshire was one of the worst affected areas in the country. 5395 homes were flooded and damaged and two people were killed. Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes; a year on, many were still unable to return.
  
• South Yorkshire Community Foundation established the Flood Disaster Relief Fund within 24 hours of the floods, with a target of £500,000. Since then, over £1.6 million has been received for distribution locally - all of it from donations from the general public, businesses and trusts.
  
• Initial handouts of £100 were given to flood victims within days of the floods, to help with immediate emergencies. By November, a second phase of payments up to £1000 was made to those most in need.
  

More information

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• Finding UK community foundations Find out more about your local community foundation
• Quality Accreditation How community foundations demonstrate quality and accountability
• Community Foundation Network (CFN) The role of the national association
• Frequently asked questions about community foundations and CFN
• Looking for funding? Essential information for community groups
• History Landmarks in the development of UK community foundations
• Links to information on the wider community foundation movement and philanthropy, and press coverage of community foundations