Community foundations work in partnership to strengthen communities and enrich local life through effective giving. This involves supporting local people, community organisations, government, business and philanthropic organisations to work together to create opportunities and build trust.
Community Foundation for Northern Ireland Endowment Challenge
The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland embarked on an ambitious fund development strategy in 2004 to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It exceeded its Challenge Fund target, more than doubling its endowment to £6 million during the three year period, 2004-2007. This substantial boost to the foundation’s endowment will go to underpin its work in peace building, community infrastructure, social inclusion, social justice and active citizenship.
South Yorkshire Flood Relief Disaster Fund
In response to devastating floods in Sheffield in 2007, the South Yorkshire Community Foundation set up a flood disaster relief fund which has raised over £1.6 million. Over £1,270,000 was paid out to individuals and families throughout South Yorkshire. All donations have come from the general public, businesses and trusts.
Merseyside Young Transformers
Merseyside Young Transformers (MYT) Programme is a community partnership set up to tackle anti-social behaviour, create transformational opportunities for young people who are disaffected within their communities and explore the issues of gang culture and street crime with cross-sector partners. Results so far have been positive: local projects succeeded in reducing levels of anti-social behaviour in the local area by 11.6% in the programme’s first year.
The Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund
CFN and The London Evening Standard have been working in partnership on the Dispossessed campaign which by June 2011 had raised £7.2 million. The Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund links to the paper’s previous "Dispossessed’ campaign which raised awareness of individuals and groups struggling with poverty across the capital. With matched funding it was initially hoped that over £2 million could be raised to support communities across the capital. However, within only 24 days the campaign reached its target of £1m.