The Randal Foundation has announced a ground breaking initiative that has seen more than £200,000 distributed to over 60 grassroots charitable organisations through strategic partnerships with six Community Foundations and umbrella organisations across the UK.
This equates to each charitable and voluntary organisation receiving five to 10 percent of their annual revenue in one single grant from the Randal Foundation, which for many, will prove a lifeline to continuing the invaluable community support they deliver on a truly local level.
The innovative funding and partnership approach will significantly improve thousands of lives across Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire and Rutland.
This comes at a critical time when the very smallest charities face an increasingly challenging funding landscape, despite growing community needs across the region.
Randal Foundation partner Community Foundations include:
- LoveBrum (Birmingham)
- MK Community Foundation (Milton Keynes)
- Foundation Derbyshire
- Northamptonshire Community Foundation
- Forever Notts (Nottinghamshire)
- Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation
Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Chairman of the Randal Foundation, said: “These small charitable organisations frequently reach communities that larger institutions simply cannot access – building authentic relationships with vulnerable individuals and creating safe spaces where transformation becomes possible. The supported organisations represent what we describe as ‘small but mighty local groups’ that often operate as unsung heroes within their communities. These voluntary organisations and charities provide direct support to the most vulnerable residents and those facing extreme hardships. They deeply understand local needs and can often respond with remarkable expertise, agility and compassion, yet securing sustainable funding remains their greatest challenge.
“Government cutbacks, economic uncertainty and donor fatigue have created a perfect storm, where demand for services has surged, while financial resources have dwindled. Many small organisations now face existential threats despite their communities needing them more than ever.
“This is precisely why our Randal Foundation has established these initial six partnerships, which represent more than money – they are a belief in the power of local knowledge and grassroots innovation. Each pound invested will ripple through their communities, creating impact far beyond what traditional metrics can capture. By channelling resources directly to these local champions, we are not just providing financial support – we are validating their essential role in our social fabric and enabling sustainable community-led solutions for the long term.”
The new partnership approach leverages the unrivalled knowledge that Community Foundations and locally based organisations possess about the community and social landscapes in their respective areas, with the goal of making the biggest impact for those most in need.
One example of how this collaborative approach is significantly improving lives in Northamptonshire is through our Foundation’s partnership with the Northampton Community Foundation, where s significant amount has been awarded between 11 local charities.
By working together, a wide range of local projects will be supported, all of which benefit Northamptonshire residents and align with the Randal Foundation’s strategy of providing healthcare for the vulnerable, tackling mental ill-health, alleviating poverty, prisoner rehabilitation and education for the most disadvantaged.
Since its inception 24 years ago, Northamptonshire Community Foundation has awarded more than £24 million in grants to thousands of grassroots charities and community organisations across the county. The foundation’s Chief Executive, Rachel McGrath, said: “We have been championing place-based philanthropy since 2001 and we are incredibly proud of the life-changing, and often lifesaving, impact made by the projects and charities we fund.
“It is through partnerships like this one with the Randal Foundation that we are able to continue tackling our county’s most urgent needs through small grassroots community groups. We are so thankful to the foundation for their support.”
Looking ahead, the Foundation will continue this work to reach as many national Community Foundations as possible, to ensure grass roots community charitable and voluntary organisations are supported. The Foundation is also actively seeking new partnerships and remains open to entrepreneurial and innovative ideas that deliver maximum impact where it is needed most.
