Stability and Unity Through Uncertain Times

Leeds Community Foundation has welcomed five new trustees to join its existing eight strong board of trustees, steering the Leeds organisation, currently distributing £4m+ annually, to support people living in some of the most deprived areas of the city. This amounts to more than £57m distributed to date; an incredibly powerful figure, generated primarily by philanthropy from businesses and people living and working right here in Leeds and Bradford.

Ruth Bromley (BDO), Will Clarke (York Council), Hugh Fairclough (RSM), Carl Hawkes (FareShare UK) and Emily Jones (The Youth Association), join current Chair, Nick Lane Fox (Bramham Park), Deputy Chair, Cleveland Henry (EMIS) and fellow board members, Carolyn Black (Charles Stanley & Co), Roohi Collins DL, Tony Cooke (Leeds City Council), Sharon Orr (PFG), Mike Jackson (BHP LLP) and Dee Reid (Leeds Beckett University). The board will drive the strategic direction of the Foundation, in realising its vision of ‘Creating a City of Opportunity for All’.

Kate Hainsworth, CEO of Leeds Community Foundation said: “Like for so many others, things are hard right now. With the cost of living crisis on top of austerity, cuts to public services, insecure employment, rising debt and the impact of world events on local people. It means the burden of poverty across our area continues to rise.

“At the Foundation, we have seen demand rise, some of our programmes are receiving more than double the number of applications. It’s also a really tough environment for raising the funds that we give out in grants.

“Its times like these where a cohesive and robust governance structure is key -accountability, control, behaviour and values and processes. All teamed with the ability to adapt quickly to changing times, so that Leeds Community Foundation can continue to endure and thrive.

“The addition of our newer board members was part of a rigorous recruitment process and we are proud that we have a diverse board in terms of race, gender, age and lived experience.”

Emily Jones from The Youth Association, one of Leeds Community Foundation’s, newest board members said: “Working alongside fellow trustees, my role is to ensure that the Foundation is effective and accountable to the communities they are working with.”

“The goal is to shape the future of the organisation to ensure that the organisation is going in the right direction and supporting those most in need.”

“Within this role, I am able to work with a diverse board of trustees, which is exciting because we can all bring our areas of expertise and ultimately, we all share the same passion for making a difference in Leeds and Bradford.”

Speaking of his role as Chair of Leeds Community Foundation, Nick Lane Fox said: “It’s our job to set the direction and ensure the charity fulfils its objectives appropriately -it’s a privilege to be involved.

“We are undoubtedly about to face a very difficult time for people who will have even less and less money in their lives. The work of the foundation will become even more vitally important.”

“I’m a really firm advocate for community foundations; the due diligence and the expert advice they have embedded throughout is incredible. They are the people who know the most about local problems. They are the people on the ground. Localism is key.”

There are a number of ways to support Leeds Community Foundation. This includes becoming a Member and/or donating to The Leeds Fund, a direct, well-established and compelling way to improve the lives of thousands of local people. To find out more about how you can help, contact the team on info@leedscf.org.uk.