The Leeds Community Foundation helps improve the quality of life of people living in disadvantaged communities.  We do this by making financial grants to support local organisations and charitable groups, of which there are over 3,000 in Leeds. These can vary from a few hundred pounds, to several thousand pounds.  

We encourage a spirit of local giving and provide an efficient and simple way for donors to make a long-term difference to the communities in which they live and work.  We assist donors in directing their funds towards those groups and communities who can ensure the money is used in an effective and worthwhile manner. 

The Foundation understands the key issues that the city is facing. Our special funds enable us to support some of the amazing community groups that are working on tackling the city’s toughest issues

The Leeds Children’s Gift Fund makes grants to groups working with children, young people and families who face significant disadvantage.   The Leeds Financial Inclusion Fund, helps tackle major issues such as the rise in debt and the associated emotional and physical strains this puts on individuals and families.  The Leeds Environment Fund provides grants to a range of community and educational projects that support issues such as recycling, community allotments and climate change.

We would love to help you set up a Personal Fund in your name.  This works in a similar way to having your own charitable trust, supporting causes in which you have an interest.  

We undertake research on your behalf, accept applications from relevant organisations and assess them thoroughly. 

We present you with a shortlist of groups and you select the ones you want your Personal Fund to support.  We then make the grants in your name and keep in touch with the group to help measure the impact your support is having on the lives of the individuals and communities the group is supporting. 

We share these results with you as regularly and in as much detail as you choose.

Much of the city’s wealth has been made by entrepreneurs whose drive has helped them succeed in business.  

Similarly, in local communities, there are passionate people with enterprising ideas and ambitions.  They want to set up “social” businesses that will generate profits, provide employment, lead to new innovations and help re-enforce Leeds’ position as an international business centre.  The difference is that they re-invest their profits in local communities, directly helping to re-generate the parts of the city that need it most.

Our Venture Philanthropy Fund is looking for investors who will provide financial investment and / or business skills to help these new enterprises grow and prosper.  

The return on your investment will be measured in terms of jobs created, profits generated, ambitions realised and communities transformed.