Community First raises over £17 million despite economic climate

Communities have been given an enormous boost by the efforts of the Community Foundation Network (CFN) who announce today that they have successfully raised £8.7m which is to be matched by government funds bringing the total to £17m for community projects.  The money which will go into an endowment will generate income for communities for years to come.

These figures give the clearest indication yet that despite the economic climate there is still a positive culture of community support and philanthropy in this country.  Community First is an £80 million government funded programme being delivered by the Community Development Foundation (CDF) that helps communities come together through new and existing community groups, to identify their strengths and local priorities, plan for their future and become more resilient.  It includes a £30m small grants programme for some of the most deprived areas in the country and a national £50m endowment match challenge.

Community First runs until April 2015, and during 2012/13 a further £15m of matched funding is available offering those who want to establish Community First endowed funds a bonus of £1 for every £2 donated.  The programme is mobilising both national and local giving and philanthropy and will raise £100m to be matched with £50m of government investment.  This money will continue to grow over the life of the programme ensuring a sustainable source of funding for communities in years to come.

Stephen Hammersley, CFN’s chief executive, comments: “This is a fantastic achievement. The aim of the Community First programme is to help neighbourhoods become more self-reliant and grow their capacity to make the changes they want to see in their area, and this first £17 million of endowed funding is a great start.”

Alison Seabrooke, Community Development Foundation’s chief executive said: “Our work leading this programme has demonstrated that communities are resilient but they deserve our support. We are working with communities who tell us what a difference small amounts of money makes. The Endowment Match Challenge will make sure that communities are supported for years to come.”

Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd, said: “As part of a wider drive to revive social action and build a bigger, stronger society, we’re giving power back to people and supporting them to make their communities better places to live.  We set up Community First so that local people have access to funding on the ground, to enable them to work together, take control of their lives and create the change they want to see in their local area.

I am pleased by the success of the first year of the Endowment Match Challenge, with over £17 million of endowment funding raised so far – through generous donations by individuals and businesses matched by the government – creating a lasting legacy of support for communities across the UK.”

Alistair Lang, chief executive officer, Birketts LLP said: “Birketts LLP is delighted to be able to support the Community First match funding initiative.  As a regional law firm, we work closely with the community foundations of Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Essex so this represents a very special opportunity to boost our local giving by 50% and make an even greater impact in the counties in which many of our staff and clients work and live.”

For enquiries please contact:

Community Foundation Network – Stephen Hammersley or Jane Rawnsley on 020 7713 9326 www.communityfoundations.org.uk

Community Development Foundation – Jenny Olsen, 020 7812 1572
jenny.olsen@cdf.org.uk

Find out more about Community First here:
http://www.cdf.org.uk/content/funding-programmes/community-first

Find out more about Community First Funds here:  http://www.communityfoundations.org.uk/working_in_partnership/community_first/

Notes for Editors

Community First is funded by the Office of Civil Society, part of the Cabinet Office, on behalf of the Government and delivered by the Community Development Foundation, in partnership with:

What are Community First funds?

Community First funds are set up by people and organisations who want to make change possible, and who want to support their community and causes they care about.

Individuals, groups and companies can make their charitable donations go much, much further because your support will attract match funding from the Government through the Community First Endowment Match Challenge.

Community First Partners:

Community Development Foundation (CDF) is a charity and social enterprise that is passionate about helping communities.  Leaders in community-led solutions, they have managed multi-faceted community programmes to the value of £250 million over the last five years. Most recently CDF is delivering Community First which comprises a £30m small grants programme and an endowment raising programme of £50m. CDF’s has experience of managing the £130m Grassroots Grants programme and have also led a consortium to develop a business plan for a new trust endowed by the Big Lottery Fund worth £200 million over 10 years. Other national programmes they have led include Take Part, National Empowerment Programme (NEP), Tackling Race Inequality Fund, and Faiths in Action. www.cdf.org.uk

CFN – Community Foundation Network
Community Foundation Network represents the community foundation movement in the UK.  Its aim is to help donors create lasting value from their local giving through its network of 57 community foundations.Community foundations are charities located across the UK dedicated to strengthening local communities, creating opportunities and tackling issues of disadvantage and exclusion. Community foundations manage funds donated by individuals and organisations, building endowment and acting as the vital link between donors and local needs. 97% of the population live in the area of benefit of a community foundation and CFN manages funds on behalf of the Office of Civil Society, Big Lottery Fund and Comic Relief as well as private philanthropists. http://www.communityfoundations.org.uk/

CCLA provides specialist investment management for charities, faith organisations, and local authorities. They deliver sustainable and growing income – fixed interest, balanced investment, global equity income, ethical investment and property. They offer cash management services, and a free asset allocation advice service to support trustees, investment committees and officers in their decision-making. They invest money for more charities than any other fund manager in the UK (Charity finance magazine) and do not offer services to private individuals. CCLA Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. For more information visit: www.ccla.co.uk/

Asda, the supermarket chain has access to 18 million Asda customers, 163,000 Asda staff and 500 Asda stores.  Through Asda’s nationwide community, customers and colleagues will be able to identify local priorities and support local groups through fundraising in store and online.  Asda already partners the Big Society Network on the Your Square Mile programme. www.asda.com

The Social Investment Business is the largest social investor in the UK, exists to help social enterprises, charities and community organisations do more of what they do best – supporting people and communities most in need. They help organisations prosper by providing innovative financial solutions, business support and long term strategic thinking. www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org

The Adventure Capital Fund is the parent charity of The Social Investment Business. The ACF has been making investments in community enterprises since 2003 and offers a range of investment tools and support services to organisations looking to develop income streams that enable them to stand on their own two feet.  www.adventurecapitalfund.org.uk