Community Foundation for Leeds

The foundation funds work that benefits children, young people, and older people, with priorities including mental health, community development, the environment, arts and culture, sport and recreation, and physical health. They support a range of activities, from volunteer expenses and equipment to training and room hire. They give particular attention to organisations working in Leeds neighbourhoods with the highest proportion of young children in low-income families, and also welcome innovative ideas from individuals and informal groups in more deprived communities. The foundation primarily funds work in Leeds and the wider Leeds City Region.

Eligible organisations include registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, and small unincorporated community groups. The foundation prioritises groups that are local to Leeds, particularly those working in the most deprived neighbourhoods. They actively welcome applications from, or benefitting, people under-represented in their grant-making, including LGBTQIA+, racially minoritised, d/Deaf or disabled people, and refugees. The foundation does not fund for-profit businesses or statutory organisations.

The foundation does not fund activities that have already taken place, political or religious promotion, capital building projects, or work that primarily benefits animals or takes place overseas. They also exclude sponsorship or fundraising events, activities that only benefit a very small number of people, and applications from private sector businesses or statutory organisations.

The foundation offers both multi-year and one-off grants, and they often require match funding where their grant equals at least half of the total project cost. They welcome unsolicited applications and are open to funding a range of costs, including volunteer expenses, equipment, and training. They prefer to fund in a flexible way, supporting grassroots action.