Across our 25 year history, we have worked with businesses and individuals to create their own funds to help target specific priority areas across Bedfordshire and Luton.
With our expertise and guidance, we can help you to ensure your money supports integral services in our community.
Our roadmap to starting a fund with us
1. Initial Conversation
The first step is to meet with the BLCF team to explore how you or your business can set up a fund to support local communities. You’ll discuss your business priorities, values, and charitable goals, and explore areas of community need, such as youth skills, wellbeing, or community development. BLCF will also explain giving options, including bespoke funds, matched giving, and grant programmes. This stage helps you understand local opportunities, build relationships with charities, and plan a structured approach to philanthropy.
2. Fund Design & Needs Assessment
Next, you will work with BLCF to design your fund so it aligns with both business priorities and community needs. You’ll decide on the type of fund, its size, target beneficiaries, and expected outcomes. You’ll also agree how the fund will operate, whether as a single donation, recurring contributions, or a matched giving scheme. A well-designed fund ensures measurable impact, strengthens your CSR/ESG reporting, and creates opportunities for recognition.
3. Partnership Agreement & Fund Setup
Once the fund is designed, you will formalise it with BLCF. This includes signing an agreement covering the fund’s purpose, duration, governance, and reporting requirements. BLCF will also help set up administration, communication, and monitoring procedures. Formalising the fund provides clarity and accountability, strengthens long-term relationships, and supports transparent, strategic philanthropy.
4. Fund Activation & Grant Delivery
With the fund in place, BLCF manages grant distribution to local charities and community groups. Funds are released according to the agreed schedule, and progress is monitored. Your employees or clients can also get involved through volunteering or mentoring opportunities. This stage delivers measurable community impact, engages stakeholders, and builds your reputation as a committed local partner.
5. Evaluation, Reporting & Future Planning
Finally, BLCF will collect data and stories from funded initiatives, producing reports to share internally and externally, and future opportunities for growth or renewal of the fund can be explored. This ensures your investment delivers tangible results, strengthens trust in the community, and supports ongoing engagement.
Types of fund you can start with us
Endowment Funds
Endowment funds allow your money to grow over time, meaning that you can support communities year-on-year. Working with a professional fund management company, your invested money will be protected and we will use a portion of this annually to distribute funds. An Endowment Fund ensures your gift is invested for the long term. It provides a permanence to a donation, and is a long-term commitment to the local community. Over time the amount a donor will give to charity through their endowment will surpass the original donation, making it a lasting legacy to the community for
generations to come.
Flow-through Funds
Flow-through Funds can be set up as a one-off fund or as an on-going fund that is topped up regularly, usually annually. This is ideal if a long-term endowment is unsuitable as it enables the donor to put their money to work straightaway. Your donation will be used over an agreed upon time, providing immediate support for our communities. The gift is held in cash, in a restricted fund, to support the causes the donor cares about in the year(s) ahead. To keep a flow-through fund going, the donor adds to the fund in future years.
Trust Transfer
We will act as stewards of your trust, ensuring your money reaches our communities in the way you have asked.
Leave a Legacy
By making Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation a beneficiary of your Will, or part of your estate plan, we can ensure your memory lives on and supports the development of our communities. We can help you through all the sensitivities of deciding how best to make a difference. The Foundation can work now with you, or your Professional Adviser, to ensure that your wishes are met and that your generosity will last for generations to come.
Why work with us?
25 years experience
Experts in maximising the impact of your money
Community-led and driven
UKCF accredited
Frequently Asked Questions
How involved will I be?
Donors can be involved as little or as much as they wish in the grant-making process. Some fund-holders tell us that getting to know the charities they are supporting is one of the most rewarding aspects of giving. Other fund-holders prefer to remain in the background. How much you get involved is entirely up to you, but BLCF will support you through the entire process.
How will BLCF support me?
BLCF will support you by:
• Providing information on effective giving and local needs
• Promoting your fund
• Receiving and processing requests for support
• Assessing and shortlisting suitable projects to receive grants
• Servicing meetings with fund panel members
• Awarding grants, then monitoring and reporting on their effectiveness
• Claiming any eligible Gift Aid and crediting it to your fund
• Investing the fund capital through professional investment managers [Endowment Funds only]
• Providing fund statements and reports.
Which type of fund should I start?
Each type of fund can be used to support your goals. We can work with you to discuss the pros and cons of each fund with your vision in mind. To discuss further, please contact us and we will be happy to advise.
