The Community Foundation for Staffordshire is an independent charity dedicated to strengthening local communities and tackling issues of disadvantage and exclusion through the building of permanent endowments and the allocation of grants. It is one of 40 Community Foundations throughout the UK and is a member of the ‘UK Community Foundations’, which promotes closer working and opportunities for all Community Foundations.
The Community Foundation of Staffordshire began operating in 2008, with the launch of the Grassroots Grant Scheme. By April 2011 it had just over £2 million in endowment funds, and by 2016 that figure had risen to more that £5million. Its aim is to raise £10 million in charitable funds by 2020.
As it is locally based it understands our local community. It identifies needs and mobilises resources. It also aims to work closely with other support organisations across the county and with local authorities, for the betterment of the county, whilst remaining non-political.
Historically, the High Sheriff of Staffordshire has worked closely with The Community Foundation and I am very keen to continue this tradition. Because of this, I recently met with Steve Adams, CEO of The Community Foundation for Staffordshire, to learn more about the organisation’s work and how I can best support that.
It was a very interesting and positive discussion, and I am very much looking forward to supporting the organisation going forward.
Further information about The Community Foundation Staffordshire and its work can be found at www.staffsfoundation.org.uk.