We provide The Community Foundation Network with consultancy services, Place Profiles and access to our Local Knowledge database.
The Community Foundation Network (CFN) is a registered charity that leads a movement of community foundations committed to positive social change in the UK through the development of “community philanthropy”. It aims to involve people from all parts of a community, working together locally to use the financial and other resources available to them to improve others’ lives. CFN is utilising Place Profiles, Local Knowledge and Customer Knowledge to identify areas in greatest need of support and to help make the case for local giving.

“Local Futures has some first rate products and services, which we are using within the Community Foundation Network to help us understand the characteristics of local communities and make the case for local giving.” Stephen Hammersley, Chief Executive, Community Foundation Network

Local Futures is making available a range of its services for use by the Community Foundations Network and its 56 member organisations. Each of the individual Community Foundations is responsible for raising funding from organisations within their area and for ensuring it is channelled to local charities. Following early pilot work in Surrey, the CFN recognised the potential of Local Knowledge to help understand the nature of social problems at a local level and to highlight concentrated ‘pockets’ of deprivation. As a result, Local Knowledge is now being made available to all Community Foundations, together with guidelines on how best to use it to make a case for local giving.

Community Foundations also play an important role in influencing policy at a local level and contributing to local partnerships. They work with local authorities and other organisations, helping to identify key priorities and focus interventions, aimed at improving the social-wellbeing of local communities. In addition to accessing Local Knowledge, each of the Community Foundations are being supplied with Summary Place Profiles for their areas. These reports provide a comprehensive analysis of economic, social and environmental conditions, using the very latest data to tell a ‘story of place’. The reports are to be used by the Community Foundations to influence debate at a local level, highlighting key local priorities ensuring a more coordinated approach to interventions.

Local Futures is also working with the Community Foundations Network to help design its own ‘Vital Signs’ report. Based on Place Profiles and Local Knowledge, these bespoke reports would be prepared by each of the Community Foundations, drawing on the very latest data to provide a focus for debate locally on issues that the CFN considers key to social and community well-being.