Headline figures

• 57 community foundations covering all parts of the UK
• £61.4 million distributed in grants April 2010 to March 2011
• £280 million in endowed funds held at March 2011 (a 25% increase on March 2010)
• 26,000 grants made

The network has more than 3000 active engaged donors, who are giving substantial sums, making commitments over many years and are actively involved in supporting their local communities.

Other surveys have shown a general slowing down in charitable giving:  that people are giving less in real terms than before the recession started, and that the number of million-pound-plus donations recorded  has decreased. But we can show that community philanthropists are continuing to support local causes as they weather recession austerity and cuts in public spending.

The number of funds held by donors at community foundations continued to rise strongly, 20% up on last year. Although the rate of growth fell a little, the average value of the new funds set up in the year rose significantly to £95,000 (£62,000 if we strip out one very large donation) compared to £50,000 in the previous year. The public sector remained an important source of new funds, but fell as a share of the total, down to 21% (as opposed to 25% in previous year and 44% in 2008-09).

Grants

Community foundations made approximately 26,000 grants, the same as the previous year. Over a third (9,380) were to groups that had not received a foundation grant before.

People

2920 volunteers (trustees, panel members and many other roles) work with 410 staff to support donors and strengthen communities throughout the UK.