Partner Spotlight: Community Foundation Wales

Based in Cardiff, Community Foundation Wales is a charity that connects people who care with causes that matter. To date, it has awarded over £40 million in grants to grassroots groups and local charities across Wales, tackling issues such as poverty, education, mental health, and the environment. Community Foundation Wales is also GlobalWelsh’s Charity Partner of the Year for 2025.

We caught up with Richard Williams, Chief Executive, and Katy Hales, Director of Philanthropy, of Community Foundation Wales, to discuss the work they do, the power of giving, and what our partnership means for Welsh communities…

Can you tell us a bit about the mission and vision of Community Foundation Wales?

Richard: At its heart, Community Foundation Wales is about connection, between people who care about Wales and the people and places that need support the most. We were founded 25 years ago, when we started with small grants focused on education. We’ve since grown to manage an endowment nearing £25 million, supporting projects across Wales. Our goal is to provide sustainable funding that helps communities now and for generations to come. We work with partners across sectors, from businesses to local authorities, and while we’ve grown, the need for our work has grown even more. That drives us to keep expanding our reach and impact.

Katy: What makes us different is our focus on smaller grants, typically around £5,000. While it may seem modest, this kind of funding is vital for small, grassroots organisations that often can't access larger funds. We help fill that gap and ensure these groups get the support they need to thrive in their communities.

Tell us about the types of communities you support…

Richard: We support communities across Wales, focusing especially on those facing poverty or barriers to funding. We aim to reach areas most in need, often through partnerships that help us connect with groups traditional funders may miss - we're working to ensure support is available everywhere.

Katy: Unlike charities with a single focus, we fund a wide range of causes - from mental health and homelessness to support for older people and young people not in education. Some areas, like Cardiff, naturally get more attention, but we're prioritising outreach in underfunded areas like the valleys and rural areas across Wales to help close those gaps.

Is there a particular story or community you've supported that really stands out?

Katy: A great example is our partnership with Principality Building Society, who teamed up with us to launch a £2 million Future Generations Fund. The fund connects each branch with hand-picked local projects - but the relationship goes far beyond funding. Principality staff regularly visit the groups they support, building real connections. Some branches have donated surplus office furniture, while others have offered internships to young people who are NEET, opening doors to employment opportunities that wouldn’t have existed otherwise. Through us, they’ve gone beyond surface-level giving to make a real, lasting impact in a community that truly needs it. 

Richard: That’s exactly what we aim to do: help businesses move from simple sponsorship to meaningful, high-impact giving. Because we work closely with communities across Wales, we can guide funders to projects where their support will have the greatest effect.

Can you tell us about the different funds you offer and how individuals or businesses can get involved?

Katy: Absolutely. There are lots of ways to support us, and not all of them involve giving money. Just spreading the word about what we do or introducing us to someone who wants to give back to Wales is incredibly valuable. People can also volunteer on our grants panels, helping decide where funding goes in their communities.

For those looking to give, here are a few ways to get involved:

• Join our Friends scheme - £100 a year helps fund our core work, and you'll be in good company with supporters like Michael Sheen. 
• Set up a dedicated fund – Choose an Immediate Impact Fund (distributing funds yearly) or an  Endowment Fund (invested for long-term support)
• Support an existing fund – From our Fund for Wales to our National of Sanctuary or Cost of Living Fund, there are many ways to support causes you care about.
• Leave a legacy gift – A way to support Wales beyond your lifetime. And for corporates, there are significant tax benefits, including Gift Aid. 

Ultimately, we want more people to know we exist, because when the time is right, they might be able to make a real difference.

What does the partnership between GlobalWelsh and Community Foundation Wales mean to you, and how does it support your mission?

Katy: It’s been fantastic. This partnership has opened doors we couldn’t have opened alone. From day one, GlobalWelsh has helped us connect with businesses and the Welsh diaspora in ways we hadn’t been able to before. It’s opened doors to meaningful conversations with people across the world who care deeply about Wales and want to give back - they just didn’t know how. Through this partnership, we’re offering them a clear, impactful way to do that.

Richard:  We’re both working toward the same goal, which is a stronger, more connected Wales. GlobalWelsh focuses on business investment, and we focus on social investment - but it’s the same people, the same diaspora. Together, we’re helping them make a difference in the communities that need it most. It’s a natural, complementary partnership.

What are the biggest challenges facing communities in Wales today?

Katy: The biggest issue right now is economic hardship. Rising bills and stagnant wages are pushing more people towards crisis point, from people relying on food banks to small community groups struggling to stay open. These groups often provide essential support, so when they’re forced to shut down, it hits vulnerable hardest.

Richard: Charities, like businesses, are also under pressure from rising national insurance costs and a drop in public donations. Wales is a generous nation, but with lower average incomes, giving is down, just as demand for support is higher than ever.

What are your ambitions for the next year?

Katy: We’re currently reviewing our strategy as our current five-year plan comes to an end. Our main ambition is to grow, expanding our team, increasing the funding we distribute, and strengthening our endowment to create a lasting legacy for Wales.

To do that, we need to bring in more support from people who care about giving back to Welsh communities. With political and environmental challenges ahead, we want to be as resilient as possible, especially in the areas that need us most.

Finally, what’s one thing you wish more people knew about Community Foundation Wales?

Katy:  That behind every grant is a group of passionate, skilled people working hard to make a lasting change in Wales. People often don’t realise the scale and impact of our work; we give out over 350 grants a year to groups across Wales, and even a small grant of £3,000 can make a huge difference to a local organisation.

We’re a small team, but we’re deeply rooted in the communities we support and the causes our donors care about. We work closely with both – building trust, understanding where funding can make the most difference, and helping people create lasting impact. 

We aren’t just about giving out money. We’re about enabling people and communities to thrive, and making sure support reaches the places where it can make the greatest difference.  We’re small, but we’re an expert, values-led team, driven by a real belief in the power of Welsh communities. That’s what makes the difference.

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