IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

As part of a wider community foundation initiative to improve and streamline our systems, BLCF is currently in the process of implementing a new CRM system. This update will see a change in how people apply for grants, with applicants needing to register to a new grantseeker portal. The portal will have huge benefits as applicants will be able to see their applications’ status update in real time and reduce some of the existing duplication experienced too.

We are working towards the new system being active around mid to late October this year and the BLCF team will be hosting taster sessions in the near future for groups to understand what the new system looks like and how to use it.

Dates for the taster sessions will be confirmed via email in the near future.

About Us

The Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation

Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation (BLCF) is the leading local grantmaker in the county. We are passionate about improving the lives of people in Bedfordshire and Luton and we are known for our ground-breaking initiatives, for our investment in supporting local charities and for our deep relationships with grassroots groups in our area.

4.7

Million In Grants Given Out

481

Applications Received

243

Grants Awarded

367

Thousand Beneficiaries

2024-2025 figures

About Us
LOCAL FOCUS. LASTING CHANGE.

Our Priority Areas of Need

The communities of Bedfordshire face challenges to their daily lives due to the impact of post Covid-19 economic recovery and Long Covid’s impact on health, education, employment, and economic growth.
A skills shortage exists, and although some areas see high employment, the quality of that employment is below average, forcing many to take multiple roles to cover basic needs.

Our new priority needs will address overarching themes and in turn interconnected themes:

LOCAL FOCUS. LASTING CHANGE

Eradicate Poverty in our County

Poverty exists in our county and this creates economic insecurity, isolation, and marginalisation. We believe that inequality lies at the heart of issues of poverty and are taking a systemic approach to addressing this at a local level. We are using our local knowledge and national leadership to support and advise donors on the projects that can make a meaningful difference to the most disadvantaged individuals and communities.

“We build partnerships which connect donors with local projects to strengthen the communities in Bedfordshire and Luton.”

Learn About Our Local Community Impact

Apply for a grant

All our funds are listed in the Apply For Grants section of our website together with a criteria and application form. First read our eligibility criteria on the link below.
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Make a donation

As an independent local grantmaker, we support voluntary and community groups working for the benefit of people living within Luton and Bedfordshire. We award all our grants from the numerous funds we manage on behalf of statutory agencies, private donors, companies and local families
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PRIORITY AREAS OF NEED

Create a Healthy Bedfordshire

Our research has stressed the importance of providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing health, wellbeing or issues surrounding serious illness. As a foundation we look to fund groups and projects which improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding of all aspects of health, and which offer respect and dignity to people in the pursuit of positive solutions.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR WORK HERE
LEARN ABOUT OUR IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
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PRIORITY AREAS OF NEED

Grow Stronger Communities

We continue to help build a Bedfordshire that truly thrives – one that is welcoming, collaborative, and inclusive. By partnering with a wide range of responsible businesses, local people, and national organisations, we ensure a cohesive and targeted approach to our work.
LEARN ABOUT OUR IMPACT ON THE LOCAL AREA
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In The News

Collaborative efforts to support our community

Mental Health Collaborative Fund BLCF in partnership Public Health, Central Bedfordshire Council launched a new pilot funding programme to deepen collaborative ways of working for newly developed partnerships to benefit young people aged 16-25 years experiencing Mental Health issues. The funding programme was aimed at supporting the following key groups of young

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Contract secured to continue to deliver Luton Rising’s community funding

BEDFORDSHIRE AND LUTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (BLCF) SECURES A FUTHER 4 YEAR CONTRACT WITH LUTON RISING TO DELIVER THEIR AMBITIOUS PLANS TO SUPPORT LUTON’S COMMUNITIES (BEDFORDSHIRE) ‌ BLCF has been awarded a further 4 1/2 years contract to deliver the programme of community and VCSE grants as part of Luton Rising’s

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Bedfordshire Cultural Support Fund

The 75th Anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush Earlier this year BLCF with its funding partners launched the Bedfordshire Cultural Support Fund to commemorate the historic 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush arriving in Britain on 22nd June 1948. We wanted to celebrate the legacy of the Windrush Generation

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