Community Foundation For Wakefield

Charity Number: 1121884

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

Stay updated on changes from Community Foundation For Wakefield and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ??250,000+ (in goods and financial aid)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (referral-based model)
  • Decision Time: Immediate/reactive support
  • Grant Range: Small financial grants and goods (specific amounts not published)
  • Geographic Focus: Wakefield Metropolitan District and Five Towns area

Contact Details

Website: www.wakefieldcf.org.uk

Phone: 01924 239 181

Email: info@wakefieldcf.org.uk

For Support or Partnership Enquiries: Lisa Milburn, Foundation Director - lisa.milburn@wakefieldcf.org.uk

Charity Number: 1121884

Company Number: 6236043

Overview

Founded in 2007, the Community Foundation for Wakefield District is a grant-making and endowment-building charity that has distributed over ??1.75 million to the local community, helping more than 1,000 local community groups throughout its history. With an annual income of approximately ??218,000 (2023), the organization redistributes over ??250,000 annually through goods and financial aid to tackle local deprivation.

Originally established to tackle poverty and disadvantage through traditional project grants, the foundation has evolved to take a more inclusive, grassroots approach. Their current model focuses on providing immediate, judgment-free support to local people in need through flexible provision of goods, services, and small financial grants, rather than formal grant applications. The foundation specializes in helping those who fall through the cracks of other support systems, particularly minorities and disadvantaged groups. Their vision is to “inspire local giving, support communities and change lives” across the Wakefield and Five Towns district.

Funding Priorities

Current Support Model

Important Note: The Community Foundation for Wakefield District has shifted away from traditional grant programs with formal applications. Instead, they operate a flexible, reactive support model that provides:

  • Direct Goods Provision: Tangible items redistributed from local businesses (preventing landfill waste)
  • Small Financial Grants: Modest financial assistance for immediate needs
  • Essential Services: Support addressing basic necessities

Access to support is through direct referral or contact with the Foundation Director, rather than through competitive grant applications.

Priority Groups Served

  • People experiencing homelessness
  • Individuals fleeing domestic abuse
  • Children lacking basic necessities (particularly addressing bed poverty - 6,000 children in Wakefield District lack a bed)
  • Families struggling with fuel poverty
  • Minorities and disadvantaged groups
  • Individuals and families who don't fit other charities' criteria

Priority Areas

  • Meeting basic needs so everyone in the district has a solid foundation to build on
  • Addressing child poverty (Wakefield District has very high rates)
  • Tackling fuel poverty
  • Improving public health outcomes in an area with poor public health records
  • Supporting immediate crisis needs

Approach

The foundation collaborates with other charities and nonprofits across the district, receiving referrals for cases outside those organizations' scope. Their retail arm, The Community Give Box, donates more than it sells, redistributing preloved items to people in need.

Helpful Hinchilla

Ready to write a winning application for Community Foundation For Wakefield?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Patron

Sir Rodney Walker - President

Trustees

  • Richard Hodgson (Chairman) - Former Managing Director with over 10 years' association with the foundation
  • Marie Szczepanski - Treasurer
  • Natalie Glover - Partner at Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
  • Jenna Fan - Founder of Fanfare Music and co-founder of Go Pop CIC
  • Jonathan Scott - Digital marketing professional, Director at Northern Media

The charity has 9 trustees and 24 volunteers. No trustees receive remuneration.

Key Staff

Lisa Milburn - Foundation Director

Previously worked in banking with managerial and community roles. Joined as Development and Partnerships Director in 2023 and became Executive Director in January 2024. She has strengthened donor relationships and organizational processes while maintaining the foundation's grassroots focus.

Diane Hall - Community Manager

Extensive charity background including roles at The Prince's Trust, National Trust, and local organizations. Operates her own social enterprise, Evolve3 CIC. Handles marketing and fundraising while focusing on poverty reduction.

Julia Smith - Senior Retail Manager

Manages The Community Give Box retail operation after retiring from a 40-year banking career.

Caitlin Hall - Marketing Manager

Designs marketing materials and manages social media presence.

Victoria - Head of Business Development

Over 30 years in public service with experience in community roles and partnership development.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Access Support

There is no formal application process. The Community Foundation operates on a referral and direct contact basis.

To access support:

  • Contact Foundation Director Lisa Milburn directly at lisa.milburn@wakefieldcf.org.uk
  • Call 01924 239 181
  • Email info@wakefieldcf.org.uk

For organizations wishing to partner or refer clients:

  • Contact Lisa Milburn using the details above
  • The foundation works collaboratively with other local charities and accepts referrals for individuals who fall outside other organizations' criteria

Decision Timeline

Support is provided on an immediate, reactive basis without lengthy processes. The foundation aims to provide quick responses to urgent needs.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not operate competitive grant rounds. Support is needs-based and provided as resources allow.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - individuals and families can access support as needs arise, subject to available resources.

Application Success Factors

Key Points for Organizations Seeking Partnership or Referral Opportunities

  1. Understand their unique model: This is not a traditional grant-making foundation. They provide direct support rather than funding for projects.
  1. Focus on immediate needs: The foundation specializes in helping people with basic necessities - beds, essential items, small financial assistance for crisis situations.
  1. Identify gaps: The foundation specifically helps “those who fall through the cracks” of other support systems. If your clients don't qualify for other programs, this may be an appropriate referral.
  1. Geographic eligibility: Beneficiaries must be in the Wakefield Metropolitan District and Five Towns area.
  1. Direct contact approach: Build a relationship with Lisa Milburn and the team through direct communication rather than formal applications.
  1. Collaborative mindset: The foundation works in partnership with other local charities and community organizations. They value collaboration over competition.

Examples of Support Provided

  • Bed Poverty Initiative: Addressing the needs of 6,000 children in Wakefield District who don't have a bed to sleep in
  • Essential goods packages: For people experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic abuse
  • Upcycling workshops: A 6-week programme teaching participants to upcycle clothes
  • Care packages: Essential items for people in immediate need

What Makes Them Different

Foundation Director Lisa Milburn explains their approach focuses on “immediate, judgment-free support to local people in need.” The organization has deliberately moved away from lengthy application processes to provide more responsive, flexible assistance.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. This is NOT a traditional grant-maker: Do not approach this foundation with standard grant applications for project funding. They have moved to a direct support model.
  1. Referral pathway: If you work with an organization serving vulnerable populations in Wakefield, consider developing a referral relationship rather than seeking grants.
  1. Immediate needs focus: The foundation addresses crisis situations and basic needs, not long-term projects or programs.
  1. Collaborative opportunities: Rather than competing for funds, explore how your organization might partner with the foundation to support shared beneficiaries.
  1. Direct contact essential: All engagement happens through direct relationship-building with the Foundation Director and team - pick up the phone or send an email.
  1. Geographic limitation: Only supports those in Wakefield Metropolitan District and Five Towns area.
  1. Flexible approach valued: The foundation prides itself on helping people who don't fit standard criteria, so if you have clients with unusual or complex needs, they may be able to help.

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Get Beta Access NowLearn More

References