Bedfordshire And Luton Community Foundation

Charity Number: 1086516

Annual Expenditure: £4.6M
Central Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Luton, Bedford

Contact Info

Website: www.blcf.org.uk

Phone: 01525 306 690

Email: grants@blcf.org.uk

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £4.7 million (recent year)
  • Success Rate: 13.6% overall (17% advance from EOI to full application, 80% of full applications successful)
  • Decision Time: Varies by fund (typically 2-4 months)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £25,000 (most grants under £10,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Bedfordshire and Luton
  • Number of Grants: ~300 grants annually to small charities
  • Beneficiaries Reached: 260,000+ individuals

Contact Details

Website: www.blcf.org.uk

Email: grants@blcf.org.uk (general enquiries: administrator@blcf.org.uk)

Phone: 01525 306 690

Address: Room 135, Capability House, Wrest Park, Silsoe, MK45 4HS

For application support and advice, contact the friendly grants team at grants@blcf.org.uk.

Overview

Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation (BLCF) was founded in 1999 and began operating as a charity on 9th May 2001, established by Geoffrey Farr MBE DL, Sir Samuel Whitbread KCVO, and John Richardson, Bishop of Bedford. Since its inception, BLCF has distributed over £15 million across the region. As the leading local grantmaker in Bedfordshire and Luton, BLCF recently distributed over £4.7 million to nearly 300 small charities, impacting more than 260,000 individuals. The Foundation manages numerous funds on behalf of statutory agencies, private donors, companies, and local families, with a particular focus on small, grassroots organisations. BLCF achieved recognition in the Foundation Practice Rating 2024, earning at least one A grade, and was shortlisted for the Charity Governance Awards for its innovative, community-focused, and strategic approach. Under CEO Karen Perkins' leadership, the Foundation operates with the core values of “funding, fairness and equity,” following its Strategic Plan 2022-2027 centered on “Local Focus” and “Lasting Change.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

BLCF manages multiple grant streams with varying amounts and application methods:

Small Grants Fund (Luton): Up to £10,000 - Supports community and voluntary activity in Luton (rolling basis applications)

Luton Citizens' Fund: Up to £3,500 - Participatory budgeting model where residents decide which community organisations receive funding (fixed decision days, applicants must attend local decision day in January)

Near Neighbours Fund: Up to £5,000 - For charitable organisations delivering work in specific areas of Central Bedfordshire (expression of interest deadline in September, panel decisions in December)

Stability Fund: Grants decided by community panels of local residents who understand the change needed in their area (rolling applications)

Community Trust Fund: Supports various community initiatives in Central Bedfordshire (rolling)

Larger Grants: A limited number of grants up to £25,000 may be considered through a separate bidding process

Luton Arts: Specific fund supporting arts and cultural projects in Luton

Mental Health Collaborative Fund: Pilot programme supporting partnerships benefiting young people aged 16-25 experiencing mental health issues

Most funds operate on a rolling or mixed application schedule. Each fund has its own criteria document and application form.

Priority Areas

BLCF's Strategic Plan 2022-2027 identifies three key priority social issues:

  1. Equality & Strong Communities - Building inclusive, cohesive communities and addressing systemic inequality
  2. Employment & Local Economy - Supporting skills development and economic opportunities
  3. Mental Health - Addressing mental health challenges, particularly for young people

The Foundation recognizes that poverty creates economic insecurity, isolation, and marginalisation, with inequality at the heart of these issues. BLCF takes a systemic approach to addressing poverty at a local level.

What They Fund:

  • Staff and running costs
  • New or existing projects
  • Buildings and equipment
  • Small, grassroots organisations
  • Organisations committed to equity and inclusion
  • Community-led initiatives
  • Health and wellbeing projects
  • Food poverty and community support initiatives
  • Arts and cultural projects
  • Youth development programs
  • Leadership development
  • Women's empowerment and support services

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Projects not benefiting people living in Bedfordshire (except specific London Luton Airport fund exceptions)
  • National organisations without clear local benefits
  • For-profit companies
  • Activities promoting political parties or religion
  • Professional marketing/fundraising costs
  • Retrospective costs
  • Animal welfare projects (unless directly benefiting people)
  • Overseas travel
  • Statutory agencies
  • Groups with 3 active BLCF grants
  • Groups who have provided low-quality monitoring on previous grants

Governance and Leadership

CEO

Karen Perkins - Chief Executive Officer. Karen leads the strategic direction of the Foundation and upholds its values, focusing on building capacity, ensuring impact and sustainability, and building BLCF's reputation as a champion for philanthropy in Bedfordshire. She has stated: “Funding, fairness and equity are at the core of our work.”

Senior Staff Team

  • Head of Operations - Works with CEO to ensure services are maintained and delivered to an exemplary standard
  • Head of Partnerships - Works with CEO on service delivery excellence
  • Head of Impact - Leads, manages and coordinates all aspects of impact & learning and grant programmes delivery
  • Head of Business Development - Leads long-term income growth, partnerships, and strategic business initiatives, securing funding for new programmes and expanding philanthropic reach
  • Senior Grants Managers and Grants Managers - Support organisations applying for funding

Trustees

The Board includes diverse expertise:

  • Venesa Coodien - Managing Director of Right FM Ltd with over 25 years in facilities management
  • Louise - MSc in HR Management, former HR Business Partner for London Luton Airport
  • Giles - Legal counsel at Google covering Europe, Middle East and Africa, specialising in technology, IP, data protection and commercial law
  • Sue - Recently retired from Arts Council England

Community Panels

BLCF represents the communities they serve by including lived experience in their staff teams, volunteers, panel members and Trustees. Panel members play an important role in grant-making through offering their independent voice, skills and knowledge of priorities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Online Application System: All applications must be submitted online via BLCF's grants management system. The Foundation recently implemented a new CRM system with a grantseeker portal that allows applicants to see their application status update in real time.

Before You Apply:

  • A constitution
  • At least 3 unrelated Trustees/Directors
  • Good financial management
  • Comprehensive safeguarding policy
  • Partnership approach

Two-Stage Process for General Panel Funds:

  1. Expression of Interest (EOI) - Initial application stage
  2. Full Application - Invited applicants submit detailed application

Participatory Grantmaking: Some funds like Luton Citizens' Fund require applicants to commit to attending a local decision day where residents make funding decisions.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by fund:

  • Near Neighbours Fund: EOI deadline in September, panel decisions in late December (approximately 3 months)
  • Luton Citizens' Fund: Requires attendance at decision day in January
  • General Panel Funds: Typically 2-4 months from submission to decision
  • Rolling Funds: Decision timelines depend on panel meeting schedules

Applicants are notified through the online grants management system, with status updates available in real time.

Success Rates

BLCF provides transparent success rate data for their general panel funds:

  • 17% of organisations submitting Expressions of Interest are invited to make a full application
  • 80% of full applications are successful in being granted funding
  • Overall success rate: Approximately 13.6% (17% × 80%)

This two-stage process means the initial EOI stage is highly competitive, but organisations invited to submit full applications have a strong chance of success.

Reapplication Policy

BLCF does not support groups with 3 active BLCF grants, meaning organisations with fewer than 3 active grants can apply to additional funds. Groups who have provided low-quality monitoring on previous grants are ineligible.

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly detailed. Contact the grants team for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from BLCF

Demonstrate Clear Need: Applications must show a clear need for the project or service in the community.

Strong Objectives: Define specific, measurable objectives for what you want to achieve.

User Engagement: Show how you involve and engage the people who will benefit from your work.

Partnership Approach: BLCF values organisations that work collaboratively with others.

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion: The Foundation seeks organisations committed to welcoming everyone and treating people fairly.

Financial Management: Demonstrate good financial management and sustainability planning.

Community Impact: Show positive community impact and how you'll measure success.

Contact the Grants Team: The Foundation actively encourages applicants to reach out for advice before applying - take advantage of this support.

Example Funded Projects

Recent successful grants include:

  • Women's Outreach Program (Kings Arms Project) - Supporting vulnerable women including rough sleepers, homeless individuals, and survivors of abuse
  • Luton Food Poverty Alliance (Groundwork Luton & Bedfordshire) - Community Food Hubs in high-deprivation areas addressing food poverty
  • Art Therapy for Domestic Abuse Survivors (The Butterfly Project) - Creative therapeutic support
  • Youth Music and Performance (Learning Through The Arts) - Building confidence and skills through arts
  • Community Drop-in Services (Dallow Business Partnership) - Exercise classes, skills workshops, wellbeing activities
  • Ghana Society UK - £10,000 through Community Recovery Fund
  • Revolution Fitness - £5,000 for women's sports activities through Luton Rising Small Grants Fund
  • Bedford and Luton Leadership Programme - Nine-month leadership development with retreat

Language and Terminology

BLCF uses inclusive, community-focused language emphasizing:

  • Fairness and equity
  • Local focus and lasting change
  • Lived experience
  • Grassroots organisations
  • Community-led decisions
  • Systemic approach to poverty
  • Economic security and reducing marginalisation

Tips for Standing Out

  1. Be Grassroots: BLCF is particularly interested in small, grassroots organisations - emphasize your local, community-based nature
  2. Show Lived Experience: Demonstrate how your organisation includes people with lived experience in decision-making and delivery
  3. Address Priority Themes: Align your work with their three priority areas: Equality & Strong Communities, Employment & Local Economy, or Mental Health
  4. Use the Grants Team: Contact grants@blcf.org.uk for pre-application advice - they're described as “friendly” and want to help
  5. Evidence Community Leadership: For funds with community panels, show how your work is genuinely community-led
  6. Think Systematically: Frame your work in terms of addressing systemic issues, not just symptoms
  7. Be Specific About Local Impact: Clearly demonstrate benefits to people living in Bedfordshire and Luton
  8. Partner Well: Show collaborative working and partnership approaches

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Two-stage process is competitive but fair: Only 17% advance from EOI to full application, but 80% of those are successful - invest time in a strong EOI to get through the first gate
  • Size matters (small is good): BLCF explicitly prioritizes small, grassroots organisations - don't be intimidated if you're a small charity with limited infrastructure
  • Use the support available: The grants team actively wants to help - contact them before applying rather than guessing what they want
  • Community voice is crucial: With participatory grantmaking and community panels making decisions, show genuine community leadership and involvement
  • Multiple funds mean multiple chances: With numerous different funds, if one doesn't fit, explore others - but don't apply to more than 2 additional funds if you already have active grants
  • Fairness and equity are non-negotiable: These aren't buzzwords for BLCF - demonstrate genuine commitment to inclusive practice
  • Think beyond the grant: Show sustainability planning and how the work will continue - one-year funding is typical, so plan accordingly
  • Real-time tracking reduces anxiety: The new grants portal shows application status updates in real time - a sign of BLCF's commitment to transparency

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

References

  1. Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation website - Homepage and About Us (https://blcf.org.uk/) -
  2. BLCF Apply For A Grant page (https://blcf.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/) - Funding criteria and eligibility information -
  3. BLCF Our People page (https://blcf.org.uk/about-us/our-people/) - Leadership and staff information -
  4. BLCF Our History page (https://blcf.org.uk/about-us/our-history/) - Foundation history and development -
  5. BLCF Our Impact - Funded Projects (https://blcf.org.uk/our-impact/our-funded-projects/) - Examples of funded projects -
  6. BLCF Strategic Plan page (https://blcf.org.uk/about-us/strategic-plan/) - Strategic priorities 2022-2027 -
  7. Charity Governance Awards - BLCF Shortlist (https://www.charitygovernanceawards.co.uk/short-list/bedfordshire-and-luton-community-foundation/) - Recognition and achievements -
  8. UK Community Foundations - Foundation Practice Rating 2024 report (https://www.ukcommunityfoundations.org/news/foundation-practice-rating-2024-report) - Assessment and rating information -
  9. Companies House - Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation overview (https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/04141953) - Financial and corporate information -
  10. Charity Commission - Register of Charities entry 1086516 (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/3979127) - Charity registration details -
  11. BLCF Luton Citizens' Fund page (https://blcf.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/luton/luton-citizens-fund/) - Participatory budgeting information -
  12. BLCF Small Grants Fund page (https://blcf.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/luton/small-grants-fund/) - Grant amounts and success rates -