What if every pound of charitable giving in Yorkshire could be directed to where it delivers the greatest impact? At a time when communities face growing pressures, helping generosity flow to the right places has never been more important.

Philanthropy is often defined as giving without expecting anything in return. Community foundations take that principle one step further, helping individuals, families and businesses make a lasting difference to the communities and places they care about most.

Bringing those two concepts together sums up the work of Yorkshire’s five Community Foundations, it’s all about place-based community investment and unlocking long-term change and impact. From the region’s first community foundation which was founded 40 years ago in South Yorkshire, to One Community foundation in Kirklees founded in 2010, we share a common purpose: connecting local generosity with local need.

Collectively, the community foundations are a bridge between people who want to give and thousands of grassroots community groups across Yorkshire tackling poverty, reducing social isolation and improving health and wellbeing to make communities stronger. Our purpose is to steward funds from donors and distribute these in the form of grants.

Steph Taylor of Leeds Community Foundation, one of the organisations involved

placeholder image — Steph Taylor of Leeds Community Foundation, one of the organisations involved

Yorkshire has a proud tradition of giving, which endures today. The charity established through the bequest of Leeds merchant Thomas Wade is still funding community organisations and protecting green spaces almost 500 years later. Three centuries ago, Lady Betty Hastings focused her giving on education and local communities, and that legacy continues to this day.

The work of their modern counterparts can be seen across Yorkshire. From Liz and Terry Bramall whose charitable interests include regeneration in areas of social and economic deprivation, education, employment, health, arts and culture, to the late Dr Keith Howard’s contributions to arts, sport and education in West Yorkshire.

Yorkshire has never been short of people prepared to give something back. But local giving has changed and continues to evolve. Today, the question isn’t simply how much we give but how we make sure that giving reaches the places where it can have the greatest impact.

That’s genuinely where community foundations come in. Yorkshire’s five community foundations bring together 138 years of collective experience, supporting local communities through grant-making, community investment and grassroots investment. Together Two Ridings Community Foundation, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, One Community Foundation, Leeds Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Calderdale have channelled well over £140m into communities across the region since their inception.

Yet the figures are just one part of the story. Effective community investment is defined by how well that giving is connected to the people and places it is intended to serve.

Our model provides a compelling solution for individuals, families and businesses seeking tax-efficient, locally focused and professionally managed giving. At a time of increasing pressure on public finances and rising demand within communities, that has never been more important.

With inheritance tax planning, succession planning, ESG commitments and intergenerational wealth transfer all climbing the agenda, more people are considering how their wealth can create a lasting social impact. They want confidence that their donations will reach organisations making the greatest difference, evidence of measurable outcomes, simpler administration than managing a charitable trust, and the flexibility to respond to changing community needs.

Community foundations combine robust governance and due diligence with deep local knowledge, strategic grant-making expertise, tax-efficient giving mechanisms and a practical alternative to establishing and managing a private foundation.

Our collaboration couldn’t be happening at a more important time. The struggles faced by charities on a number of fronts are real.

Administration is often a major cost within individual charities. People want assurance that their money can be utilised in an efficient and effective manner. Ultimately, community foundations are well suited to the world we live in today. We help ensure every pound has the greatest possible impact by combining local insight with professional expertise.

It’s relatively unique for five community foundations to come together in this way. But it’s important we do. We have shared interests, can learn from one another and can collaborate to multiply impact. Together, we can lean into the way in which Yorkshire’s rich tapestry of giving has set a solid grounding for the work that happens today and will happen tomorrow. The prize is a more equitable, prosperous and resilient Yorkshire. By channelling generosity strategically and investing for the long term, we can help tackle inequalities, strengthen communities and ensure that every part of the region can thrive.

Celia McKeon, Chief Executive, Two Ridings Community Foundation; Martin Singer, Chief Executive, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation; Steph Taylor, Chief Executive, Leeds Community Foundation; Hayley Austin, Chief Executive, One Community Foundation; Steve Duncan, Chief Executive, Community Foundation for Calderdale.