13 June 2011
CFN is delighted to have achieved a 2011 Charity Award in the Grant Making and Funding category for the Dispossessed campaign in partnership with the London Evening Standard.
The Dispossessed campaign was instigated after the Evening Standard ran a series of compelling stories highlighting the plight of Londoners facing disadvantage.
CFN and its eight partner charities, Capital Community Foundation, Cripplegate Foundation, Croydon Voluntary Action, Ealing and Brentford Consolidated Charity, East London Community Foundation, North West London Community Foundation, St Katharine & Shadwell Trust and Thames Community Foundation approached the Evening Standard to highlight the good work undertaken by small charities across the capital which addressed the issues raised in the campaign.
A unique partnership was formed with the ambitious goal of raising a £1 million fund which would be matched by the Government’s Grassroots Grants programme. This would create an endowed fund for London to support grassroots community organisations in perpetuity.
The fund was launched in July 2010 and has exceeded all expectations, having raised £7.2 million and distributed almost £2 million in grants to community groups that are working to strengthen their communities.
The fund continues to grow with support most recently from Big Lottery Fund’s People Powered Change programme and a stream of donations from readers.
The success of the campaign is a testament to all the partners involved; the Evening Standard readers who have embraced and supported the fund with overwhelming generosity; the exceptional work of the many groups that the fund has been able to support. The continued support of the fund is sustaining the work of grassroots organisations who are constantly striving to make a difference to their communities.
Doug Wills, Managing Editor of The Evening Standard said:
“The bedrock of experience and commitment from Community Foundation Network has been a vital part of the outstanding success of the Dispossessed Campaign and Fund. The enthusiasm as well as the professionalism of the CFN team has ensured that the phenomenal response from Londoners - individuals to big business tycoons - has been dealt with instantly and efficiently. Guidance from CFN has been essential in helping charities and initiatives to make a difference to the vulnerable in London thanks to the Dispossessed Fund. The CFN team richly deserve this acknowledgement of their tremendous work.”
Stephen Hammersley, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Network said:
“There are many exceptional individuals and small charities throughout London who continually strive to make our communities better places to live. We are thrilled to receive a Charity Award for the work of the Dispossessed Fund on behalf of our eight London partner charities, The London Evening Standard and all those that have donated to the fund to make this work possible”.