About Us
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Growing local philanthropy to change lives

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Growing local philanthropy to change lives

About Us
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Growing local philanthropy to change lives

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Growing local philanthropy to change lives

Our vision is to build a strong movement of local philanthropists, connecting them with local charitable organisations – together to ensure that every individual in Surrey has hope

The Community Foundation for Surrey brings together local donors and those acting to provide positive solutions in our communities for local people and disadvantaged individuals.

Companies, individuals, families and trusts can establish a fund with the Foundation, which supports a growing programme of grant-making to communities. The Community Foundation for Surrey is part of a national network of 47 Community Foundations, one of the fastest growing philanthropic movements in the UK.

“The seminal ‘Surrey Uncovered’ reports of 2013 and 2017 identified many pockets of genuine deprivation across our county, often hidden within towns and villages normally associated with prosperity and high living standards. Our most recent Hidden in Plain Sight Campaign went on to uncover further major issues of concern, and also the devastating impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on our local communities over the past year.

We have been met with enormous generosity from local residents, families, businesses and partners, and have effectively distributed vital emergency funding to charitable organisations providing direct action to those most impacted by the virus.

However, we already know that the effects of the pandemic will continue for some considerable time to come. It is vital we work together, to continue to assist the sector, and support our communities to cope and recover.

The local charities, not for profit organisations, faith groups and thousands of volunteers working tirelessly within our midst are truly remarkable, their scale of operation, professional, dedication and sheer numbers simply astonishing. The positive reality is that there is an enormous pool of resources available across Surrey, determined to do even more in their areas of specialism. If only there were more effective processes to both simplify access to new funding streams and to enable their efforts to be recognised and utilised for maximum impact… a perfect summary of the unique role played by the Community Foundation for Surrey.

We are fully committed and determined to address these challenges in order to provide sustainable support; to stimulate ever increasing levels of local philanthropy and to connect such donations with our talented providers of services, goods, hope and inspiration.

Please join us – together we can!”

Sir Denis O’Connor

Chair of Trustees

What is a Community Foundation?

 

Community Foundations bring together philanthropists with dynamic local organisations who need funding and other resources.

Founded in the heart of local communities, each Community Foundation is unique, identifying local needs and mobilising local resources. We work with donors, large and small, to make their gift have greatest impact. This personalised approach to philanthropy means many different kinds of donors use community foundations to manage their funds including individuals, companies, charitable trusts and government agencies.

The Community Foundation movement started in Ohio, USA in 1914 and was based on the concept of “local help for local needs.” Today there are over 1,800 independent Community Foundations in over 50 countries across the globe.

UK Community Foundations is the national network linking, promoting and supporting community foundations throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Our supporters


Since establishing in 2005 the Community Foundation for Surrey has continued to set high targets to substantially increase the level of support it is able to give to local communities across Surrey. In 2019/2020, we awarded over £2 million in grant funding across over 445 grants in Surrey, and we have high targets to grow and increase our giving throughout the county.

We would like to thank our sponsors who make our work to support communities across the county possible.

Roffe Swayne – provision of financial services as a gift in kind

discoverIE Group plc

 

Why give - Mark Carney Quote

"Community Foundations are vital contributors to building social capital. They also play a vital role by providing a platform that enables individuals and firms to invest in their communities. They help to deliver a more inclusive capitalism, one in which individual virtue and collective prosperity can flourish."
Mark Carney, Bank of England

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"Community Foundations are vital contributors to building social capital. They also play a vital role by providing a platform that enables individuals and firms to invest in their communities. They help to deliver a more inclusive capitalism, one in which individual virtue and collective prosperity can flourish."
Mark Carney, Bank of England

Why give - Mark Carney Quote

"Community Foundations are vital contributors to building social capital. They also play a vital role by providing a platform that enables individuals and firms to invest in their communities. They help to deliver a more inclusive capitalism, one in which individual virtue and collective prosperity can flourish."
Mark Carney, Bank of England

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"Community Foundations are vital contributors to building social capital. They also play a vital role by providing a platform that enables individuals and firms to invest in their communities. They help to deliver a more inclusive capitalism, one in which individual virtue and collective prosperity can flourish."
Mark Carney, Bank of England

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Would you like to receive our e-newsletters to keep up to date with our grants bulletins, or perhaps our news and activities? Please click here to find out more and tell us which types of communications you would like to receive: https://www.cfsurrey.org.uk/consent/