Birmingham & Black Country Community Foundation

Set up via the Charity Commission in 1995 and officially launched in 1997 to satisfy a desire amongst Birmingham’s business leaders to ‘give something back’ to the community, the Birmingham & Black Country Community Foundation provides the vehicle for both companies and individuals to invest in the city’s community infrastructure and support its social entrepreneurs in a convenient, tax-effective and rewarding way.

We promote and support local charitable and community activity through a range of effective grant making programmes in areas of poverty and deprivation in Birmingham and the Black Country.

Over 85% of the funds we raise goes directly back into the community - that’s over 85p for every £1 donated!

At our heart is the endowment fund, a pool of donor funds, which are invested and the income of which used to meet local needs, forever – “the gift that keeps on giving”

We are members of the Community Foundation Network, an organisation established in 1991 to:

Promote the concept of community foundations, Stimulate their growth and best practice and Support individual community foundations and help them network with each other

Local priorities

Dudley

1. To establish an infrastructure of youth & community facilities and create long term opportunities for young people to engage in useful activities and to reduce the perception of low esteem & self confidence.
2. To encourage greater community involvement, in working with the voluntary & statutory sectors.

Sandwell

1. Support for youth activities, including the provision for after school homework clubs
2. Reduce concerns about anti-Social behaviour, drug abuse, crime & community safety
3. To support activities which promote health & wellbeing for all residents.

Walsall

1. To increase the voluntary infrastructure already created, in order to enable greater use of all community assets by residents and to increase residents involvement in the running, management and provision of activities and services in the Alumwell area, for the benefit of all.
2. To increase long term opportunities, support, advice & activities for young people living in Alumwell.

Solihull

1. Improve and establish community wide communication and information mechanisms
2. Develop and support existing community groups through training, administrative support and provision of facilities and commonly owned equipment
3. Form new community groups and projects with particular emphasis on cross community groups and projects
4. Support the acquisition and development of community owned assets and facilities