Community foundations raise £17 million for local neighbourhoods

UK Fundraising April 2012

Community Foundation Network (CFN) has raised £8.7 million which will be matched by government funds bringing the total to £17 million for community projects. The money which will go into an endowment will generate ongoing income for communities.

Community First runs until April 2015, and during 2012/13 a further £15 million of matched funding is available. This means that people and organisations that wish to set up Community First Funds will be able to attract matched funding from the Government, with £1 added to every £2 donated.

Stephen Hammersley, CFN’s chief executive, said: "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."

See online coverage:

Third Sector 3 May 2012

Politics Home  1 May 2012

UK Fundraising  30 April 2012

Proposed cap to charity tax relief will damage philanthropy

Sunday Telegraph, 15 April 2012

In a letter signed by over 40 philanthropists, Matthew Bowcock, CFN chair, argues that the proposal in the recent budget to cap charity tax relief will undermine the motivation to give generously, and will deprive charities of much-needed funds. Read the letter.

See also letter in London Evening Standard , 12 April 2012  and BBC news item.

Give More is about connection with communities, not just cash

Civil Society, 6th March 2012

Stephen Hammersley, CFN's chief executive, talks about why community foundations are supporting the Give More campaign. Read why here.

Jimi Heselden’s legacy to his Leeds community

The Guardian, 7th March 2012

The generous legacy of the late Jimi Heselden, who died in an accident on one of the Segway scooters which his firm made in Leeds, has taken another step forward.

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