Why East London Community Foundation
We are professional grant makers
We understand the needs of the local community. We can target money precisely, both by geographical area and by topic. Groups are assessed before grants are made and monitored to ensure donations are not wasted.
We service donors’ philanthropic needs
We seek to match the philanthropic interests of your clients with community needs. Through us they have the opportunity to reach small but key local groups, and send us requests for support from local charities to which we can respond on their behalf. We aim to help all sections of the community. Whatever your client's local charitable interests are we can assist them in achieving their goals.
We are flexible
Your clients can choose what kind of causes they want to support. They can change their mind over time, supporting skill development for instance, for a period of time switching to another interest or priority for another period. This flexibility allows for rapid response to emerging needs or crises. Your clients can be as involved as they would like to be in the grantmaking process.
We are knowledgeable and impartial
We have over 12 years experience of giving to local charities. Our skills and knowledge are unparalleled allowing us to address the most pressing problems and issues strategically and impartially.
We are local
Your clients’ funds will be used to support the local community in which they live and work.
We can help your clients give effectively
As a registered charity we are an ideal vehicle for all methods of tax effective giving, offering significant tax benefits for your clients.
We maximise returns
Whilst a client may be able to invest £10,000 themselves and distribute the interest accrued, we pool all our funds together in one investment vehicle. Hence we can command higher interest rates providing a higher return on investments, and in turn can give more to local groups.
We carry the financial and legal responsibility
Setting up a personal charitable trust may be time-consuming and costly to administer. Subsequent generations may not want to carry on running them. The onus on trustees is increasing - to invest and monitor the investment of funds, to ensure regulations are followed in grantmaking, to meet the stringent needs of accounting requirements under SORP as well as the independent scrutiny of the accounts. With a named fund at East London Community Foundation, all these responsibilities are borne by our Trustees.
We are here to stay
If a client leaves a legacy in a will today, it is possible that the cause that they wanted to fund is either no longer in existence by the time the will comes into effect. With a named fund, our Trustees have discretion over the distribution of gifts left to them. We can ensure that the intentions of your clients are carried out without having to resort to the Charity Commission for a variance of the original deeds of a trust or intentions in a will.
For more information on setting up a Fund with East London Community Foundation please see Set up a Fund and Tailor made Named fund, or contact our Chief Executive, Jessica Wanamaker, at 0300 303 1203.
We help communities in London, particularly those in North East London, in Barking & Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
