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.
We are delighted to welcome our new Chair, Neelam Devesher DL, who has been a trustee with CFSurrey for a number of years and latterly Vice-Chair.
Neelam has a wealth of experience and insight from her roles as Chair at Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum and the Surrey Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel, and from many years working in senior roles in the public sector.
Neelam says,
The cost-of-living crisis has impacted our county and communities. There are numerous pockets of deprivation in our county, often hidden within towns and villages normally associated with prosperity and high standards of living.
We have many local charities and thousands of volunteers, all committed to helping our communities. Their efforts are making extraordinary differences to the lives of the most vulnerable in our communities. However, these charities and volunteers need funding and support to help maximise their impact.
Community Foundation for Surrey is dedicated to working with local charities and volunteers, helping to make sure our most vulnerable communities are better supported.
A strong and sustainable CFSurrey is essential in helping to address the issues that our communities are facing as a result of the increasing deprivation and inequity. This is made more challenging with the pressure on public sector resources and services.
It’s an honour and privilege for me, to step into the role of Chair of CFSurrey. I am supported by an excellent trustee board, chief executive and staff team. Their commitment and dedication are both inspiring and humbling. They all embody the CFSurrey mantra “together we can!” with their actions on a daily basis.
I am committed to addressing inequity and deprivation by working on solutions that help communities to become more resilient and empowered. I have set up numerous projects focused on improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable in our communities. I will use this experience to strengthen our reach within the vulnerable communities living and working in Surrey.
I have lived in Surrey for twenty years, and have worked in public sector organisations at senior management level. I currently chair the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum and also the Surrey Police Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel. In 2021 I was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Surrey. I have two children and four grandchildren.
Do please join the CFSurrey journey. It is a vital organisation for our county, communities and charities. “Together we can”
We are proud to work with her and look forward to the future.
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
"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
"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
"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
"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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