About Us

The Community Foundation is an independent charity (registered no 1123126) formed in 1991 and dedicated to strengthening local communities by awarding grants to local charities and voluntary groups in the County of Wiltshire and the Borough of Swindon. Our aim is to make our area a better place to live in, by supporting voluntary and community groups that help people in need to develop their potential and overcome problems and barriers.

In the financial year to March 2010, the Community Foundation awarded grants totalling £913,000 to 255 local projects and individuals.

We are only able to award grants because of the support of our donors, including private individuals, companies, charitable trusts, local and central government. Many of our donors have set up their own charitable fund with us, to focus on the local causes that interest them. These funds are invested as part of our endowment which now totals approximately £7,000,000 held  in over 105 donor funds.

The Community Foundation for Wiltshire & Swindon is part of a national network. 94% of the UK population live in an area with its own local Community Foundation, and between them the Community Foundations gave out a combined total of more than £56 million last year.

    Record number of grants made during 2009/2010

    Our final calculations for our end of year accounts have shown that we distributed £913,000 in grants to 255 groups during 2009/2010.
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    The Community Foundation Demonstrates Quality

    The Community Foundation Demonstrates Quality

    Wiltshire and Swindon are one of the first two Community Foundations to receive enhanced quality accreditation as part of a pilot project for the Community Foundation Network.
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