Berkshire Community Foundation

Since 1985, the Foundation has been building a Community Capital Fund to provide grants to small voluntary groups that tackle need at the grassroots of our local community, both now and in the future.

How does it work?
Donations from individuals, companies and Charitable Trusts are pooled in the Foundation's Community Capital Fund from which the Foundation draws income to make its grants. Simple really! This also means that your donation works year after year generating income for grant making year on year on year ...

Who does it benefit?
Local children, individuals and families in need.The Foundation aims to support the smaller groups who are doing vital work but who have real difficulties in raising funds.

Benefits to donors
The Foundation is committed to making giving as easy, quick and tax efficient as possible. Monitoring and evaluation of grants awarded means that donors can be assured their charitable giving is getting to where it is really needed, and it is making a difference.

Foundation Milestones

We have been entrusted with looking after over £2 million in donations and we keep our administration costs to a minimum to make the most of all the donations we receive.

In 2004-5, as a result of our generous supporters and by attracting additonal external funding for grants from the European Social Fund and central government, we made a record £776,643 worth of grants in the county.

Been appointed administrator for two government funding streams - European Social Fund Global Grants (ESF) and The Local Network Fund for Children and Young People (LNF) with the capacity to distribute over £1 million.

In 2003 it launched its Community Needs Survey to raise awareness of the needs in Berkshire and help raise funds to tackle them. This was up-dated in 2005 with support from the Learning & Skills Council and sponsored by Panasonic and Lloyds TSB Foundations.

Runs the Berkshire Give A Child A Chance appeal which is one of the only grant streams in the county to make grants to individual children.

BCF is a member of the Community Foundation Network (CFN). CFN promotes Community Foundations throughout the UK and works to stimulate their growth.

Professional Advisers Information To assist lawyers, accountants and financial advisers in meeting their clients wishes to support their local community, the Berkshire Community Foundation has published a Professional Advisers Pack, which can be obtained by ringing Robin Draper on 0118 930 3021. more

Employee Volunteering Community Spirit is a great way to get volunteering! It draws people from different companies together to lend a much needed and appreciated hand to local voluntary groups. more

Community Foundation needs survey The Community Needs Survey up-dated in 2005, aims to give an overview of social needs across the county. more