The South West RDA is investing £186,000 in the seven Community Foundations in the South West. The investment is intended to build the community foundations in the region to a consistent standard by contributing to the provision of development expertise, which will ensure each foundation is well resourced and has the best opportunity to become financially self sustaining.

What is a Community Foundation?

Community foundations are independent charitable trusts that promote local giving in a specific geographic area. They manage various funds (from individuals, and from the public, private and third sectors) as well as raising new money to build endowment funds, which provide a long-term and financially sustainable basis for their ongoing future. A key strength of the community foundations is their ability to source funding from local donors for local needs, targeting resources at community based social and economic activity in disadvantaged areas. More information about community foundations can be found at www.communityfoundations.org.uk

The Project

The seven community foundations in the South West share the same sub-regional boundaries as the RDA's Area Teams. The RDA are funding the seven community foundations via Quartet Community Foundation (formerly the Greater Bristol Foundation), the community foundation taking the lead on the project. The project will attempt to reduce the development disparity between the foundations and increase their capacity to deliver. £186,000 will be provided over three years from 2006 to 2009, towards total project costs of £337,000. 
 
It is hoped that the project will increase the capacity of the community foundations to continue to undertake their work in the region's more disadvantaged areas. The project will also look to improve joint working between the foundations, improving their collective voice, which it is hoped, in turn, will raise funders' (local, regional and national) confidence in community foundations, thereby increasing their ability to win contracts and attract further investment.

For further information contact Andy Youl at the RDA at andy.youl@southwestrda.org.uk