Fundraising charity faces double demand as cuts hit

The Leeds Community Foundation – which raises funds from individuals and business for charities working in deprived parts of the city – has reported another successful year of progress for the year to March.

Its annual review says that about £4m was distributed during the year.

Chief executive Sally-Anne Greenfield said: “We cannot afford any complacency at all.

“Although we gave out £4m in grants, we were only able to support one in three of the hundreds of applications we received for some of our schemes last year.

“In the past few months we have seen the level of needs increase, as cuts bite, and there is genuine hardship in many areas.

She added: “We are responding by re-doubling our efforts to raise funds by boosting our donor development programme as we envisage an even tougher year ahead.”

One of the highlights of the year was the creation of a new endowment fund, called Jimbo’s Fund, set up in memory of Leeds entrepreneur Jimi Heselden who donated £10m before he died last September while out riding a Segway that plunged off a 30ft cliff and into a river.

The foundation also plugged the funding gap left by the end of the Government’s three-year Grassroots Grants scheme.

This matched money raised locally and through which the foundation was able to secure £750,000 which, when matched, formed an endowment of £1.5m.

With support from the Yorkshire Post’s Communities in Need Appeal, a further £500,000 in match funding was unlocked for the benefit the region’s communities.

A research study called Needs in Leeds – to be published in the autumn – will help the foundation decide how the money is spent.

Ms Greenfield said: “This will better inform our grant making and enable us to plan more effectively so that donors will know exactly how their donations are making a difference and improving people’s lives.”

Businesses, organisations or individuals can get more information at www.leedscommunityfoundation.org.uk