The Community Foundation model was first established in the USA in 1914 by a Cleveland, Ohio banker and lawyer, Frederick Harris Goff.
Goff’s success in law allowed him to use his election as President of the Trust Company Section of the American Bankers’ Association to promote his community foundation concept as an opportunity for trust banks to serve their local communities.
The philanthropy pioneer was concerned about philanthropic gifts which had been left to causes that could no longer benefit their original purpose, so developed the idea of charitable endowments. Subsequently, the funds that were flexible enough to respond to changing community needs, were born.
In combining the charitable resources of Cleveland’s philanthropists into a single and permanent endowment, Goff ensured support for citizens in perpetuity through funding that would focus on the mental, moral and physical improvement of those residing in Cleveland. Endowing such a foundation was a simple and affordable way for individuals of modest to comfortable means to leave a charitable legacy. Inspired by Goff’s vision to help those locally for the long-term, it was not long before bankers started Community Foundations nationwide.
Over the years more foundations were established across the US, but to this day The Cleveland Foundation remains one of the world’s largest foundation’s, holding $2.5 billion in endowment and having distributed over $1.78 billion in charitable grants since its inception.
In 1975 the UK saw its first Community Foundation established in Wiltshire. The phenomenon quickly spread and there are now 46 Community Foundations across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland which all operate under the umbrella organisation UK Community Foundations.
It is the Community Foundation model that has influenced so many philanthropic individuals, families, corporates and trusts to direct their giving to the needs of citizens within their communities, regardless of race, religion or ethnic origin.
UK Community Foundations have grown to manage over £500 million in their combined endowment funds and are working with more than 15,000 donors to represent one of the leading sources of funding for local charitable causes here in the UK. In December 2017, UK Community Foundations announced that they had collectively distributed £1 billion to local charities, a figure congratulated by Teressa May in the Prime Ministers Questions.
To date, the Community Foundation for Lancashire has built £4 million in endowment for the betterment of Lancasdhire communities, and has awarded over £13 million in grants, currently providing £1.2 million to over 227 voluntary community groups and individuals in need each year.
