‘We can illustrate the kind of things that grants achieve and that is really quite powerful,’ says chair of Leeds charity

Leeds Community Foundation’s governance and strategic direction is a focus for the organisation’s CEO and Board chair as the charity seeks to grow its services further.

Kate Hainsworth, who took up the role of chief executive six months ago, and the charity’s chair of the board – Rachel Hannan  – spoke to TheBusinessDesk.com about the opportunities and challenges facing them and the organisation as it looks to further strengthen and grow its presence.

They, along with the staff team, volunteers and board members, are continually working closely with the business community and see philanthropy as a strength going forward.

Hannan, an angel investor who joined the LCF Board five years ago and became chair in 2016, said: “Leeds Community Foundation was set up to galvanise giving. Traditionally, it was about building endowments and giving grants. It has a huge role to play in changing and supporting the community.

“But on the other side of that is engaging with the community who do have money to potentially give to the foundation. It is not just about the money though, it’s also making sure they are aware of what we do and how.

“The money we give is not just handed over. It is given for very specific purposes and transparency is key. We have a compelling story to tell but know that the business community are looking for ROI. We can illustrate the kind of things that grants achieve and that is really quite powerful.

“We have some really startling inequalities across the city and I think there is some truth in the fact that not everybody sees that. There are really tough challenges facing people and often there is a real affinity in working cheek by jowl with both the people receiving support and those giving donations.”

Both Hainsworth and Hannah highlighted that as state funding is continually cut, third sector sector organisations are often stepping in to help people deal with a wealth of issues including homelessness, mental health and food poverty. LCF exists to distribute grants and signpost people to such causes across Leeds and West Yorkshire.

But with less statutory funding available for LCF to access, it is important for the charity to have a strong network of private and business donors to enable them to deliver community projects to make a difference and tackle inequalities.

Hainsworth said: “Currently around 40%-45% of our overall funds come in from private, business or individual donations. We are trying to grow and increase but that’s not necessarily a bigger percentage from each donor but is instead an overall growth of the values.

“We are looking to do this by achieving a really key set of focused priorities. If we can make that difference and then make it stick, then there is such a huge opportunity.”

She added that working in collaboration with bodies include Big Change and the LeedsBID, which is already happening, added scope for an even bigger difference to be made.

Hannan, a co-founder of Getenby Sanderson, which she exited in 2010, said that LCF’s business-like approach to being run, while having social impact at its heart, was what attracted her to become involved. “When you are responsible for other people’s money you have a huge responsibility to make sure it does as much as it possibly can,” she added.

Hainsworth is adapting the way in which LCF does things and one aspect she is focusing on at present is further heightening the charity’s presence, partnerships and philanthropic activities. There is also a focus on updating technical capabilities and being agile to change.

“It is about changing the mantra. Everybody is evaluating metrics but at the same time life happens all around us. We are pulling together as a group of people talking about how we adapt to this new world and it is a big challenge for us,” said Hainsworth.

Hannan added: “We have never been reliant on just one fund. We have always had to be entrepreneurial in terms of how we ask for and raise funds; we haven’t had to rely on statutory funding. You have to create your own pipeline of opportunity and we are proud of that.”

Hainsworth likened the third sector to entrepreneurs too, stating that they have to have passion and energy to be innovative and responsive to change.

Of the potential for crowdfunding to make a positive impact on LCF’s activities, Hannan said it was “massive” and “something we are wrestling with” but added it was important to prioritise focus and always have a cross section of grant-making activities.

The charity raised a phenomenal £30m since inception five years ago, but the duo recognise that there will always be more work to do in supporting the community to tackle the inequalities that exist. The charity recently launched Give Bradford and has a number of campaigns  planned this year.

“We pack our punch for the size of organisation we are and Kate has made a great start to her time in role as CEO,” added Hannan.