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05.06.2025 / Case studies

Authors: Lutz Drieling, M.A.

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Northamptonshire Community Foundation (NCF) is a beacon of community engagement, generating lasting connections between donors and their communities.

As a catalyst for social change, it funds, connects, and convenes charitable activities to build stronger, more cohesive communities. Committed to inclusivity and transparency, it leads by example, undertaking research, forging partnerships, and rising to challenges with sustained leadership. With a focus on cultural diversity and equal opportunities, NCF envisions a culture of giving that transcends local boundaries, aligning its philanthropy with the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).¹

NCF integrates the SDGs into its strategic planning and utilizes the 2030 Agenda as a powerful communication tool. The SDGs assist donors in selecting focus areas and enable NCF to provide grants to groups and initiatives seeking to implement projects aligned with specific goals. Additionally, the Foundation utilizes the SDGs for reporting purposes, identifying the allocation of funding towards specific goals and measuring the achieved impact.²

NCF is dedicated to promoting and managing charitable endeavors. With an annual funding allocation exceeding £1 million, the Foundation prioritizes community-based initiatives addressing pressing issues such as child poverty, unemployment, homelessness, domestic violence, and social isolation. Alongside a network of 47 other community foundations across the UK, NCF fulfills its mission of enhancing the well-being of Northamptonshire’s communities.³

As of March 2023, NCF had long-term investments of £19.12m and assets held for less than 12 months of £481,980.⁴ The total gross income was £2.62m. NCF received £1.91m through donations and legacies, £287,030 through charitable events, £413,220 through investments. This year, NCF used £2.8m for charitable activities, of which £2.5m was for grants.⁵

Northamptonshire and the SDGs

Introduced through NCF’s engagement with the European Community Foundation Initiative (ECFI), the SDGs provide a framework for aligning local efforts with global aspirations. By embracing these goals, the Foundation not only enhances its impact but also amplifies its message, inspiring donors, partners, and communities to collectively address pressing issues such as gender equality and social justice.

The SDGs serve as a unifying force, transcending barriers of complexity and language and rallying stakeholders around a shared vision of a better world. Through their adoption, the Foundation empowers individuals to take meaningful action, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and optimism amidst the complexities of the modern world. The SDGs “are empowering people […] to take responsibility and feel inspired.  […] that persons in their local neighborhood have a space to do something positive that they think will make a difference.”⁶

The future engagement of Northamptonshire Community Foundation with the SDGs remains pivotal amidst evolving challenges and opportunities. While the pandemic has disrupted progress toward these goals, the Foundation remains committed to fostering community resilience and addressing systemic issues like poverty, health, and environmental sustainability. Anticipating the emergence of new goals or a reassessment of existing ones, the Foundation envisions continued support for collective action and community empowerment. Advocating for a national philanthropy strategy, the Foundation aims to unlock dormant assets to invest in local communities, aligning with broader efforts to mobilize resources for societal benefit. Embracing a donor-directed approach, the Foundation seeks to collaborate with stakeholders and leverage emerging opportunities, particularly in renewable energy and environmental initiatives, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive future for Northamptonshire’s communities.⁷

NCF emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making in addressing urgent needs within the region. The Foundation prioritizes evidence-based approaches to guide philanthropic efforts. Through the Hidden Needs Report, which highlights pressing issues like crime, violence, educational disparities, and childhood obesity, the Foundation aims to engage donors, partners, and community groups in meaningful conversations about supporting initiatives that enhance well-being and the quality of life in Northamptonshire. By grounding discussions in concrete data, the Foundation ensures a focused and impactful approach to addressing the region’s most critical challenges.⁸

The Hidden Needs Report addresses urgent needs exacerbated by recent major life events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the current cost-of-living crisis. Recognizing Northamptonshire’s strengths and challenges, NCF underscores its commitment to supporting community recovery and revival. The report sheds light on persistent concerns around poverty and disadvantage, focusing on the access needs of rural communities. By showcasing exemplary case studies of the local charitable sector’s response, the Foundation aims to inform and inspire stakeholders, including donors, companies, individuals, and community groups, to actively address these pressing issues. Through the Hidden Needs Report, the Foundation seeks to mobilize more local philanthropists to provide targeted grant-giving, channeling funds towards addressing urgent local needs and highlighting impactful local projects that already make a difference in Northamptonshire.⁹

A community foundation on the global stage

NCF focuses its efforts on a diverse range of SDGs, reflecting its commitment to addressing societal issues within its region. Through its philanthropic and grant-giving work, the Foundation contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by supporting local community groups and charities that tackle poverty and hunger. Additionally, it promotes SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 4 (Quality Education) by investing in initiatives that enhance the quality of health and education alongside gender equality (SDG 5) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10). The Foundation also directs efforts toward building sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and fostering peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16). Furthermore, it has recently embarked on initiatives related to climate action (SDG 13), aiming to enhance its knowledge and understanding of environmental finance and advocating for climate justice. While the Foundation acknowledges the importance of leading by example and “getting its own house in order first,”¹⁰ it remains committed to expanding its strategic focus on environmental sustainability in the future, aligning its actions with its values and the community’s broader goals.¹¹

The work of Northamptonshire Community Foundation has been enriched by its participation in the European Community Foundation Initiative, which has provided valuable resources and opportunities for collaboration. Reflecting on the potential benefits of greater engagement with European platforms, the European Union, and the United Nations, the Foundation envisions a space where community foundations can discuss their role in addressing global goals and securing strategic resources. Recognizing the need for greater awareness and education about the role of community foundations, particularly in times of crisis like the Ukrainian refugee response, the Foundation emphasizes the importance of a place-based approach to fostering community solutions and building unlikely alliances. Through collaboration and solidarity, community foundations can transcend political divides and unite people around common causes, creating meaningful impact and lasting connections.¹²

Conclusion

Northamptonshire Community Foundation stands as a beacon of community engagement, fostering lasting connections and driving impactful change within its region. Through its unwavering commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and data-driven decision-making, the Foundation addresses pressing societal needs while aligning its efforts with the broader global agenda, particularly with the Sustainable Development Goals. By leveraging the SDGs as a communication tool and strategic framework, the Foundation empowers donors, partners, and community groups to take meaningful action towards building a better, more sustainable future for Northamptonshire. As the Foundation continues to navigate evolving challenges and opportunities, it remains steadfast in its dedication to community resilience, social justice, and environmental sustainability. With a focus on collaboration, innovation, and community empowerment, the Northamptonshire Community Foundation is poised to lead the way in creating lasting positive change for generations to come.

Endnotes

1. “Our Vision, Mission and Values” (Northamptonshire Community Foundation, ), https://www.ncf.uk.com/vision-mission-values.
2. Rachel McGrath, interview by Lutz Drieling, March 26, 2024.
3. “Who We Are” (Northamptonshire Community Foundation, ), https://www.ncf.uk.com/page/?title=Who+We+Are&pid=21.
4. Northamptonshire Community Foundation, “Assets and liabilities” (Charity Commission for England and Wales), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3986666/assets-and-liabilities.
5. Northamptonshire Community Foundation, “Financial history” (Charity Commission for England and Wales), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/3986666/financial-history.
6. Rachel McGrath, interview by Lutz Drieling.
7. Idem.
8. Idem.
9. “Northamptonshire: Hidden Needs: Second Edition” (Northamptonshire Community Foundation, 2023), https://www.ncf.uk.com/hidden-needs, p. 4 ff.
10. Rachel McGrath, interview by Lutz Drieling.
11. Idem.
12. Idem.

This case study was developed as part of the project “Increasing the Contribution of European Community Foundations to the SDGs,” supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. We are grateful to the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and all interviewees and partners who made the development of the case study possible.

Departments: Community Foundations & SDGs; Society, Crisis, and Resilience Program; Policy Analysis and Outreach Department; Center on Global Affairs and Post Development.

Regions: Global, Europe.

Themes: Sustainable Development Goals; Civil Society; Environment and Climate Change; International Development; Philanthropy and Community Development; Social Inequalities.