Strengthening local giving: Reflections from a community visit

On Tuesday 10 February, I had the pleasure of attending a community event in Hertfordshire alongside my colleagues Amanda Jansen, Head of Philanthropy, and Helen Doubal, Head of Grants as well as HCF Trustee Terry Douris. The event brought together leaders from local charities and community organisations, and we were joined by the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity to talk about the work of Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCF) and, more importantly, to hear directly from those delivering vital support on the ground. Across the room were organisations with a deep understanding of local need—groups supporting families facing cost-of-living pressures, people experiencing poverty and disadvantage, and individuals who need access to opportunities many of us take for granted.

Community foundations exist to connect local generosity with local need. At HCF, we work closely with partners across the county, including Hertfordshire County Council, to ensure funding reaches small, community-led organisations that have their fingers on the pulse of local issues. These organisations are often best placed to respond quickly and effectively, whether that’s providing food support, advice services, mental health support, or activities that improve wellbeing and life chances.

Speaking with the Prime Minister was a chance to share how local giving can complement public funding and national initiatives. Philanthropy and community funding play an important role in strengthening social infrastructure—helping charities remain resilient and enabling preventative, early-intervention work that can make a real difference over time.

We also discussed the challenges charities continue to face. Rising demand, increasing costs, and constrained resources are realities for many organisations. There is an opportunity for government, funders and community foundations to work together to further support local giving and the charities delivering frontline services, ensuring they can continue to respond to need in a sustainable way.

Visits like this matter. They shine a light on the dedication, innovation and impact of Hertfordshire’s voluntary and community sector, and they reinforce the value of place-based funding that is shaped by local insight. I left the event encouraged by the conversations we had and proud of the role HCF plays in supporting communities across the county.

We will continue to champion local organisations, work in partnership with statutory and voluntary partners, and connect generous people with causes that matter—so that everyone in Hertfordshire has the opportunity to thrive.