With over 60 Community Foundations at various stages of development, nearly 90% of the UK population has access to one. Together they showed combined grant making of over £52 million for year ending March 2004. Community Foundations allow donors to specify how, where and over what period of time their money is spent. Gifts of cash, shares, trusts, bequests and property are pooled in multipurpose endowment funds, creating a capital sum whose earnings address donors' specific interests. Community Foundations can also manage pass through funds for public sector agencies and those who want immediate grants to be made from their money.

Community Foundations are a unique resource for the local community they serve and play an important role in promoting and supporting local voluntary and community activity.