Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCF) welcomed supporters to its Annual Reception at Sopwell House on Tuesday 6 October, celebrating another year of grant making and the difference local giving is making across Hertfordshire.
The evening provided an opportunity to look back at a year in which HCF awarded more than £6.3 million through 852 grants to charities, community organisations, individuals and families across the county.
HCF Chair of Trustees, James Hopkins, opened the evening by reflecting on the scale of this support and the importance of HCF’s local knowledge in ensuring funding reaches organisations working closest to the needs of their communities.
“Behind every grant is a local organisation responding to a local problem or need – an organisation that knows its community extremely well.”James also highlighted the importance of continuing to build HCF’s own endowment so that HCF can respond to changing needs in Hertfordshire and provide locally generated funding for generations to come.
From grant making to real-life impactThe evening then brought the figures to life through a fireside chat featuring three local charities supported by HCF.
Hertsmere Mencap, represented by Chief Executive Lucy Sitton, supports people with learning disabilities and their families. Its work includes activities, support, employment opportunities and community events designed to help people feel connected, valued and able to reach their potential. Lucy shared how the charity works to create opportunities and tackle loneliness and isolation for people with learning disabilities and their families.
Herts Young Homeless (hyh), represented by Chief Executive Jonny Whitehead, works with young people and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Its services include housing support, education, advice and support designed to prevent youth homelessness and help young people build more secure futures.
Home-Start Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere, represented by Co-CEO's Michaela Foster Osborne and Karen Watkin, provides early support to families with young children. Its work includes home visiting, counselling, family groups, activities and peer support, helping families navigate challenges before they develop into crisis.
Together, the three charities demonstrated the breadth of needs being addressed across Hertfordshire – from supporting children and families, to preventing homelessness and helping people with learning disabilities live more connected and fulfilling lives.
They also highlighted an important part of HCF's role: funding does more than support individual projects. It can help local organisations develop their services, respond to emerging needs and continue providing vital support to the people who rely on them.
While there was plenty to celebrate, the evening also provided an opportunity to look ahead.
Hertfordshire is facing a range of social and economic pressures, while the funding environment for charities remains uncertain. HCF's role as an independent local grant maker is therefore more important than ever.
Growing HCF's endowment will help ensure that HCF can continue to make grants from locally generated funds, giving future generations the ability to respond to the needs of their communities.
HCF is asking supporters to play a part in that ambition by introducing us to anyone who may be interested in local giving – whether they are an individual, family or business considering how they could make a lasting difference in Hertfordshire.
Thank youWe would like to thank everyone who joined us for the evening and everyone who helped make it possible.
A particular thank you goes to the
University of Hertfordshire, who sponsored the event, to our speakers for sharing their experiences, and to the team at
Sopwell House for hosting us.
Most of all, we thank our donors, fundholders, supporters and partners. Your generosity and continued commitment enable HCF to connect local people who care with the causes and communities that need their support.
View photographs from the Annual Reception