End of year note from Helen Gray

It’s been an extraordinary year. This year has, once again, been hugely impacted by Covid and all that it has thrown at us and the wider county.

With the help of our supporters and the unfailing support of the National Emergencies Trust, HCF distributed more than £2.2m in 2020/21 (a 100% increase in grant making compared to the previous year) helping us reach more than 85,000 local people. We have:

• Fed people in poverty


• Helped to get homeless people off the street


• Supported people facing a range of mental health problems


• Provided support to the elderly to tackle loneliness and isolation


• Enabled charities to transition to online service delivery


• Provided a lifeline to families of children with SEN children


• Supported families facing dementia

The local voluntary and charity sector has truly shone. We have seen an increase in collaboration across the sector, numerous examples of innovation and countless examples of local people doing extraordinary things.

As we approach 2022 we are acutely aware that emergency relief funding will dry up but the social needs exacerbated by the pandemic still exist. Growing our endowment fund is now one of our key priorities to ensure that HCF is best placed to be able to continue to provide the vital funding that our community groups and charities need.

We would welcome any help that you may be able to provide. If you know anyone who may be thinking about local giving we would be delighted to invite them to one of our 2022 philanthropy events. Please get in touch by sending us an email to marketing@hertscf.org.uk .

If you would like to find out more about setting up a named endowment fund or growing an existing fund please get in touch at helen.gray@hertscf.org.uk

Thank you again for all your support. Together you are helping to make Hertfordshire a better place for everyone.

With season’s greetings and best wishes,

Helen Gray
Foundation director