UK Community Foundations

Who we are

UKCF (UK Community Foundations) is a national network dedicated to working with local communities through effective place-based philanthropy.  We help people and organisations to invest in local communities where support is most needed and in ways that will make the most impact.  We are one of the largest grant makers in the UK, providing over £170 million each year to community-focused initiatives, collectively managing over 40,000 donor advised funds that benefit people everywhere.

UKCF's membership network consists of 47 community foundations in the UK and 3 international members.  Community foundations collectively cover the whole of the United Kingdom and we have an unparalleled reach into local communities.  Each community foundation has an in-depth understanding of their local area, what the priority issues are and how best to address them.  They are able to direct donors to fund causes they are not only passionate about, but that will make the most difference.

The support that community foundations provide to local communities ranges widely from supporting very small groups such as lunch clubs for the elderly, community hubs, employment training and mental health support groups to larger organisations like cancer charities, advisory services and sports clubs.

The positive impact made by philanthropy in local areas is significant - people’s lives are changed by the support given to them.  The difference community foundations are making as a collective, across the whole of the UK, is huge, and UKCF is part of a global network of national and international community foundation networks, working together to learn best practice and make a sustainable difference.  UKCF often connects with networks like European Community Foundations Initiative, the Community Foundations of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, America, and the Global South. 

Working for UKCF means representing a national membership network of passionate people, each doing vital work for the region or country their community foundation serves.  In 2020, UKCF transformed into a fully remote-working organisation and continues to do so suceessfully, with a small dedicated team placed all over the country and opportunities for regular travel.  Three to four times a year the team takes part in development days that consist of visiting local community foundations and coming together for learning and fun team building.  UKCF practices a flexible, supportive workspace that is inclusive to all, where colleagues can develop and thrive while delivering a vital service of support to members, partners and communities throughout the UK.

Our culture and values

At UKCF: 

• We put inclusivity at the forefront of all we do 

• Valuing diversity of thought and experience  

• Ensuring all voices are heard  

• Challenging and dismantling barriers wherever we find them  

• We put relationships first  

• Everything we achieve will be done with and through others  

• Demonstrating integrity, openness, honesty and care in all we do  

• Empowering networks that support places to thrive 

• We are ambitious for members and the communities they support  

• Valuing future generations  

• Focusing on underlying causes not symptoms  

• Constantly challenging our knowledge and practice 

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We are a Disability Confident employer and practice anonyomous recruitment.  We are committed to living wages and show the salaries of every job we advertise.

At UKCF, we put inclusion at the forefront of our work and believe in equal opportunities for all.  That is why our recruitment process is anonymous and our salaries are transparent.  

It is important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve, and we want everyone in our team to feel they belong.  We ensure staff familiarise themselves with our company policies and procedures, uphold the Equal Opportunities and Anti-Harassment and Bullying policies, act at all times within the company rules and procedures and observe health and safety procedures to ensure personal safety when working remotely.  We also have mental health first-aiders in place and a fantastic wellbeing service that provides bespoke support to all employees.