Choosing between the hundreds of good causes that we hear about can be quite confusing. Many individuals and organisations can become bewildered when trying to decide who to support. Identifying areas of need, finding the groups working in those areas and understanding the local needs can all become quite arduous. 

Our aim is to make the whole process of giving an enjoyable and simple one for all our donors by offering a flexible, tailor-made and personal service. 

We believe that donors can benefit more, personally, when they are involved in the actual process of giving and when they can see, for themselves, the positive results that their support can provide.   The most effective way to achieve this is by local giving and this is where the Leeds Community Foundation can help.

There are over 3,000 charities, voluntary and community sector groups in Leeds, providing a range of services across the city.  Some focus their work on specific parts of the city, others are targeting issues such as homelessness and drug addiction or are working with specific age groups.  Each of them, every day, continues to make a difference to the lives of people in Leeds.

In order for the Foundation to understand how some of these groups are tackling the city’s most important issues, we have a growing database of groups that we are in touch with.

To learn more about some of the issues we are addressing, click here.

If reading this information has inspired you to want to make a difference to the city in which you live or work, the Leeds Community Foundation would like to work with you to put your ideas into action.

We recognise that people like to give in different ways. You may want to give in private and set up an anonymous fund. As a business or individual you might want to set up a Personal Fund, attract some publicity and involve staff, suppliers and customers in your fundraising efforts. You might want to make a one-off donation, or contribute regularly over a longer period of time.

You might like some advice about how you can give. As a registered charity, we always encourage donations to be made tax-effectively and can provide a range of advice as to how you can do this best. Thanks to support from Redmayne Bentley, you can donate gifts of shares free of charge to the Foundation, by completing a simple form. You can have great fun whilst raising funds by getting together with friends, colleagues and family members to run an event or take part in a sponsored activity. We can offer help and advice, sponsor forms and publicity material and even set up a special facility to enable you to raise funds on-line.

Many people want to meet the groups in person. We can tell you about the needs of your local community. We are happy to arrange site visits to specific projects so you can see the impact they are having. Once a year we run an event with The Funding Network where we invite groups to present, in person, and then field questions from the audience. Once the groups have left the room, we have a live pledging session where you can show your support for one or more projects by making a donation on the night.

You may want to support the work of the Foundation itself. We run 2-3 high profile events each year – you can buy a table, enter a team or get involved in sponsorship. Our “Number One Club” is a membership scheme with a difference, offering quality networking opportunities to a maximum of 100 members each contributing £1,000 per year.

Can I afford to make a difference? We have, over the past years received donations from £10 to £10 million. Each one has helped to make a difference in Leeds. However much you would like to give, and in whatever way you would like to give it, we will work with you to make it fun and enjoyable and ensure it is used to support groups that are tackling some of the city’s major issues.

We know many people are wary of the amount charities spend on staffing and administrative costs. Accordingly, we will agree any costs with you at the outset so you know exactly how much of your money will be given out in grants. We are proud to state that our costs are no more than 10% of the value of Fund.