Community Foundations Network

Community foundations want to make your community a better place to live by funding and supporting projects that engage local people.

We bring dynamic and effective local organisations together with philanthropists and businesses who wish to give money to support their community.

Our distinctive and personalised approach to philanthropy means individuals and families as well as companies and family businesses engage community foundations to manage their funds.

Community foundations work with donors, large and small, from charitable trusts to government agencies, to manage their grant programmes. We help professional advisers support their clients' philanthropic giving.

Community foundations are actively working for their communities in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and every English county. Use our map to find your local community foundation.

CFN is the national association for UK community foundations. Find out more about how we work.

► See the difference we've made

Latest news

Philanthropy experts to judge Beacon awards

02 January 2013

The Beacon Fellowship and J.P. Morgan Private Bank have announced the judging panel for the 8th biennial Beacon Awards for Philanthropy, winners of which will be revealed on February 6th 2013 at a Mansion House awards ceremony. The judges are ...

Surviving Winter 2012 kicks off with backing from Stephen Fry

12 November 2012

Community Foundation Network (CFN) launches its Surviving Winter campaign, to encourage people to make donations to help older and vulnerable people who cannot afford to pay their fuel bills. Donate now

Dorset Community Foundation launches corporate community giving scheme

24 October 2012

Corporate Community Giving is an innovative philanthropy planning tool for Dorset based companies committed to giving back to their community in a meaningful and empathetic way. Read more and see BBC news coverage

Inspiring a culture of philanthropy

07 August 2012

The Philanthropy Fellowship website goes live. The Philanthropy Fellowship comprises emerging and established philanthropists with the means to give time, money and expertise to meet local needs in a way that has a positive and lasting impact on their communities.

Supporting social action

31 July 2012

CFN is working in partnership with Localgiving.com and sixteen community foundations across England until March 2013 to deliver a strand of the Social Action Fund programme. The Fund recognises community foundations' track record in supporting the role of grassroots local voluntary and community groups in creating thriving communities. This programme will deliver a range of social action activities including the mobilisation of volunteers and contribute to the long-term sustainability of local charities and voluntary through their setting of a web presence on Localgiving.com

Stories of success

Liverpool footballer Jamie Carragher gives local kids a chance

Founded by Liverpool FC's number 23, the 23 Foundation provides the youth of Merseyside with the means to make a difference in society by giving them an outlet rhough football and sport. Jamie donated the proceeds from his 2010 testimonial to create the fund which is now valued at over £1 million and was named Merseyside Philanthropist of the Year.

The 23 Foundation is currently looking to recruit marathon runners ...

Everyone deserves a chance

A firm belief of the Leeds Community Foundation is that everyone deserves a chance to make the most of their life and to reach their potential. The Canopy Housing Project equips local people with the practical construction skills that help them to transform empty houses into much loved homes, which fully supports our ethic. At the end of each project a volunteer will move into the home.

Kool Kayakers Canoe Club encouraging people with disabilities to get paddling

A kayaking and canoe club is ready to welcome more members to get paddling and join in the fun with new equipment designed for users with physical disabilities. The Doncaster club is going extra lengths to do what they can to make paddle sports open to people with disabilities. The KKCC is a hugely popular and successful club ran by a dedicated team of volunteers. Over the eight years the club has been running, its built up over 90 members, ranging in from 7 to 65. The KKCC was inspired to get the new kayaks by the positive impact participating in the club's activities has had on one young member with mental and physical disabilities.

Never too late to be what you might have been

Set up in 2008 with the aim of combatting a high level of anti-social behaviour in the Harefield area of Southampton, and supported by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation, Kickz plays a vital role in the local community. By providing positive activities for disengaged youth, the club aims to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour, improve the relationship between young people and the police, and create routes towards education and employment.

View all our stories of success

“I feel much more fulfilled as a social entrepreneur than I ever did in the years spent making money. Having earned it, I now return it. Giving and the service of others is making my fortune significant, and it seems as if the more I give away, the richer my life seems to become.”
Dame Stephanie Shirley, UK Ambassador for Philanthropy

Community Foundation Network

Changing communities - transforming society

For thriving communities