Cornwall Community Foundation hits £25m, and where it went

Hot meals. Exercise sessions. A village hall that stayed open through a brutal winter. Behind each of them sits a grant, and those grants have now added up to something remarkable.

Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) has passed £25 million in grants handed out since 2003. That money has gone to more than 10,000 community groups and grassroots organisations across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

It has funded work on poverty and homelessness, rural isolation, mental and physical health, inclusion, and opportunities for young people.

How the money is directed

CCF works with donors, businesses, trusts and foundations to get funding to the organisations that know their own communities best. Its decisions are shaped by research into the issues people face across the Duchy.

The main tool is its Vital Signs research, developed with the University of Exeter. It combines data and local insight to show where the biggest needs and opportunities are, covering health and wellbeing, poverty and inequality, education and skills, housing, communities and the environment.

The Foundation also sees itself as a hub of local knowledge. It connects donors with causes, supports groups through the funding process and helps grassroots organisations find the resources they need.

What the grants have paid for

The £25 million is made up of thousands of individual grants. A few recent examples:

• A grant from the Young Carers Fund helped DisAbility Cornwall give personalised respite and wellbeing support to 18 young carers who often shoulder heavy responsibilities at home.
• Money from the Sedel-Collings Foundation Fund let Georgia’s Voice offer free mental health support to young women through weekly groups, a crisis hub and wellbeing workshops. Many of those who took part described it as a lifeline.
• The Howton Solar Farm Fund helped Landulph Memorial Hall become storm-resilient, so it could stay open as a community hub through extreme winter weather.

The Oasis Centre, St Columb Major

The Oasis Centre is a community charity in St Columb Major that supports people across St Columb, St Eval and nearby communities. Its main aim is to reduce loneliness and isolation, while giving practical help to people dealing with hardship, ill-health, disability or other disadvantage.

Pat Walton from the centre said: “I think it is fair to say that CCF grants have completely changed the lives of many we help and have given people a new purpose in life. By funding things that are so important – hot meals, exercise, simple projects etc – people’s lives are changed.”

Kernow Youth

Kernow Youth gives young people a safe, supportive space to connect, build confidence, learn life skills and look after their wellbeing.

The group said: “We have found our involvement with Cornwall Community Foundation to be extremely positive. The flexibility within the grant allowed us to tailor activities to the complex needs of our young people, which has been invaluable.”

“One aspect we particularly appreciate is the Foundation’s understanding of the challenges faced by SEN families and small community organisations. This has made it easier for us to deliver meaningful, safe and inclusive opportunities without unnecessary administrative pressure.”

“Still so much more to do”

Tamas Haydu, CEO of Cornwall Community Foundation, said: “Reaching £25 million of grant-giving since 2003 is an incredible milestone, but what really matters is what that money has made possible.

“This milestone is down to the remarkable generosity of our donors and supporters who believe in what we do and the real difference we can make. We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved together, and we know there is still so much more to do.

“This money is literally changing lives, and I couldn’t be prouder of this achievement.”

Anyone who wants to add to the next £25 million can donate to Cornwall Community Foundation online.