Suffolk Community Foundation’s Post

A relevant fund for Argyll and Bute communities to apply for adding to the work they are already doing and improving their capacity. #rural #regeneration

How can we leverage #regeneration funding and partnerships to ensure success and maximise community benefits? Join Stantec at this #UKREiiF panel discussion to discover more: https://ow.ly/7CmC50RtqOE #FundingRegeneration

What happens when around £1m in non-prescriptive funding is provided to 150 communities across England that need it most? Our new research, conducted by the Stop Collaborate and Listen Agency, identifies a web of nine interconnected components showing how access to, and spending of, non-prescriptive funding can generate and sustain community power. Explore the findings at: https://lnkd.in/d_T_CCAP

In our research, we focused on adapting our approach to meet the unique needs of each community we worked with. One of the most rewarding aspects was supporting communities to reflect on their achievements and successes using participatory inclusive evaluation methods like the River of Life and Ripple Effect Mapping. In long programmes like Big Local (10-15 years!), it’s easy to lose momentum, but revisiting both big and small wins can reignite motivation and progress and help with planning for the future.   Our findings emphasise how flexible, non-prescriptive funding can generate an interconnected web of power to: - expose limiting or facilitating power structures that can be navigated and negotiated by community members, - build responsive resilient resident networks that are there for people when it’s most needed, - strengthen organisational connections for a collective voice in decision-making.   We hope these insights will guide future community-led initiatives and funding strategies.   Read more about how community power can be grown when given resources and opportunities to learn, grow and flourish! https://bit.ly/Big_Local   #CommunityPower #BigLocal #ParticipatoryResearch #SCLAgency #NonPrescriptiveFunding #CommunityLeadership #CollaborativeResearch #Empowerment

Highlight 19: $1.4 Million Secured for West Monroe, LA CFS is committed to helping local governments access the funding they need to invest in their communities — and the City of West Monroe, Louisiana, is a prime example of what can be achieved. Over the past 12 months, we secured over $1.4 million in competitive funding for seven impactful projects in West Monroe through a mix of federal and foundation opportunities. These awards will benefit the city and surrounding Ouachita Parish by supporting projects that enhance public parks, arts programs, and vital infrastructure—strengthening community ties, attracting tourism, and fostering sustainable growth. Since 2021, we have partnered with West Monroe to identify strategic opportunities, craft winning applications, and maximize funding outcomes. Over the past three years, we’ve secured nearly $4 million in discretionary funding, allowing the city to win highly competitive awards that deliver tangible, local benefits. Securing grant funding isn’t easy. Small and local governments often face challenges like limited staff capacity, technical requirements, and the complexity of competitive applications. That’s where we come in. Our team provides the expertise and strategy needed to unlock funding for projects that transform communities — large and small. From rural towns to growing cities, we help local governments level the playing field and secure the resources they need to thrive. #FundingSuccess #LocalGovernment #CommunityImpact #24Highlightsof2024 

🔊 If you live in, work in or work for, the North of England, this is something to be aware of... The Northern Nature, Culture and Place Forum is a pioneering conference showcasing how the natural assets and cultural richness of the North of England can be enhanced together. Taking place in Leeds on 21st January, the Northern Nature, Culture and Place Forum will equip professionals in local government, third sector organisations, companies, public agencies, independent funders and others to learn from examples of where action on nature recovery and cultural advancement are already connected.   Hear from Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England and Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England on the opportunities for integration across natural and historic heritage. Explore examples from projects and funders across the North of England on pathways for cultural engagement and deeper economic and social impact, with Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North at National Lottery Heritage Fund. Discover how funding and finance for different forms of heritage can work together rather than in isolation.   The event is being organised by the award-winning Ecosystems Knowledge Network (EKN), in partnership with the Northern Place and Culture Partnership, as part of the 2025 Convention of the North event series.   Join to discover how the natural assets and cultural richness of the North of England can be enhanced together.   URL: bit.ly/4fWVc9w   #NNCP25 #CotN #ConventionOfTheNorth #NorthernNatureCultureAndPlace #NaturalEngland #HistoricEngland #NationalLotteryHeritageFund #NPCP #NorthernPlaceAndCulturePartnership #EcosystemsKnowledgeNetwork #EKN #GetInvolved

Looking to make a positive and healthy change in your organization or community? Two of our grant opportunities can help you achieve this: - Built Environment Grants - Discovery Grants Find more information on each of these and how to apply here: https://bit.ly/3C6x4SQ

Save the Date! 📣 SBAN is hosting a 2024 Summit on Community Ownership on November 14. 😎 Get more details: The Summit will be a virtual, day-long event focused on long-term solutions that allow community members and stakeholders to control commercial assets, land, and enterprises. At the summit, we’ll explore individual and collective ownership models that support BIPOC- and immigrant-owned small businesses and help them stay in place, including commercial cooperatives, community land trusts, community investment trusts, and commercial property acquisition funds. 👉🏾 What to expect: The event will feature panel discussions, working sessions, and keynotes by small business advocates, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in community ownership efforts across the United States and abroad. The summit will also feature insights from SBAN research, case studies, and working groups. 😊 Who can attend: The event is open to all SBAN members and non-members. 👀 What's next: Stay tuned for more details and registration information!

Interesting that DAFs outpaced contributions. these are Community Foundations DAFs not those at private financial institutions which have been criticized as more tax avoidance than charitable endeavors. Think of these were also deployed in communities, the change that could occur. There is so much secrets keeping about DAFs. There needs to be greater transparency and accountability given the tax preferences for these vehicles which have or should have not only a charitable goal but a goal that is actioned.