One Community Foundation

What is a Community Foundation?

Community Foundations are non-profit organisations that support local community causes. Their role is to manage donor funds and make grants to charities and community groups, linking local donors with local needs. Created by and for local people they help donors express their long-term interest in an area and its needs.

Since the 1980s a rapidly growing network of foundations has developed across the country and approximately 60 foundations now exist to meet local community needs. About 90% of the UK population now has access to a Community Foundation.

Each foundation's aim is to attract donations, usually from local companies and committed individuals, to create an independently-managed endowment. Funds are managed wisely by trustees appointed from the local community. They are invested, and used to make grants to local groups working to tackle disadvantage and promote the quality of community life. In this way, Community Foundations act as an informed and professional channel for the charitable giving of concerned people who want to support local good causes.

Nationally, community foundations are represented by the Community Foundation Network (CFN) and One Community is currently working towards quality accreditation, which is a programme run by the CFN to endorse and encourage best practice in the network. The CFN have secured the endorsement of the Charity Commission for England and Wales twice for the programme, the first charity network to achieve this status. 

To make a donation to support the One Community Foundation in Kirklees, please click here, or to learn more about Community Foundations across the country, please visit the Community Foundation’s website.