Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside

Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside
Name	Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside
Formation	1999
Type	Charitable foundation
Headquarters	Lancashire and Merseyside, England
Region served	Lancashire; Merseyside; North West England
Leader title	Chief Executive

Community Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside is a charitable foundation serving Lancashire and Merseyside, supporting voluntary organisations, social enterprises and community projects across Greater Manchester-adjacent counties. The foundation works with fundholders, philanthropists and statutory bodies to distribute grants, develop endowments and respond to local crises, operating alongside institutions such as the National Lottery Community Fund and the Tudor Trust. It acts as an intermediary for donors including private trusts, corporate partners and local authorities while collaborating with networks like Charity Bank, Lloyds Foundation, and the Big Lottery Fund on regional resilience and regeneration.

History

The foundation was established in 1999 amid a surge of community foundations across the United Kingdom led by entities such as the Community Foundations Network and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Early development drew on models from the Cleveland Foundation and the Boston Foundation while responding to social challenges highlighted by reports from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Social Mobility Commission. During the 2000s it expanded its endowment work influenced by examples from the Rockefeller Foundation and the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, and later coordinated emergency responses resembling the approaches of the Disasters Emergency Committee and Comic Relief during events like the 2012 floods that affected parts of Lancashire and the 2008 financial crisis.

Governance and Leadership

Governance has been overseen by a board of trustees drawn from civic leaders, philanthropists and representatives from organisations such as the Arts Council England, NHS England trusts, and local councils including Lancashire County Council and Liverpool City Council. Chief executives and chairs have engaged with figures from the Charity Commission, the Institute of Fundraising and law firms similar to DLA Piper for compliance and governance advice. The foundation’s governance framework aligns with Charity Commission guidance and sector standards exemplified by the Charity Finance Group and the Association of Charitable Foundations.

Funding and Grantmaking

Grantmaking streams have included unrestricted core funding, project grants, and designated funds created with partners such as the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the National Health Service. Funding priorities have reflected needs identified in local strategic assessments used by Transport for the North and Homes England, and targeted interventions similar to programmes run by the Tudor Trust and the Barrow Cadbury Trust. The foundation administers donor-advised funds and legacy giving services, working with professional advisors from firms such as KPMG, PwC, and local solicitors to manage endowments and ensure compliance with HM Revenue & Customs charity tax guidance.

Programs and Initiatives

Programmatic work spans youth engagement, arts and heritage, social inclusion and health-related projects that intersect with institutions like the Royal College of Nursing, NHS Foundation Trusts, and universities such as the University of Liverpool and Lancaster University. Initiatives have mirrored models used by Shelter, Mental Health Foundation and Sport England to tackle homelessness, mental health and youth inactivity. The foundation has also launched targeted emergency appeals similar to those by the Disasters Emergency Committee and set up resilience programmes that coordinate with the Environment Agency and Public Health England during outbreaks and natural hazards.

Partnerships and Community Impact

Partnerships include collaboration with municipal authorities (Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Sefton Council), cultural bodies such as Tate Liverpool and National Museums Liverpool, and financial partners including CAF Bank and Triodos Bank. Impact measurement draws on evaluation frameworks from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Office for National Statistics neighbourhood indicators, producing reports used by stakeholders including MPs, Local Enterprise Partnerships and regional development agencies. Case studies showcase support to local charities, social enterprises and community groups, with outcomes comparable to projects funded by the Big Lottery Fund and Comic Relief in addressing child poverty, social isolation and cultural access.

Finance and Fundraising

Financial management employs reserves policies and investment strategies informed by the Charity Commission and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, with investment oversight similar to that practiced by university endowments and trusts like the Wellcome Trust. Fundraising activities have included major donor cultivation, corporate sponsorships with firms similar to Barclays and the Co-operative Group, and community appeals analogous to campaigns run by Oxfam and Save the Children. Audit and financial reporting standards adhere to practices advocated by Grant Thornton and the Financial Reporting Council.

Recognition and Awards

The foundation and its partners have received recognition through sector awards comparable to those conferred by the Charity Times Awards, Institute of Fundraising awards and Locality accolades. Projects supported by the foundation have been shortlisted for honours from Arts Council England, the Princes Trust commendations and the National Lottery Awards, reflecting achievements in community development, heritage preservation and social innovation.

Category:Charities based in Lancashire Category:Charities based in Merseyside