The Community Foundation
Charity 1155455
www.thecommunityfoundation.org.uk
Overview
Summary
The available evidence suggests that The Community Foundation operates less as a single-service charity than as a community-development platform: combining direct support for residents with training, employment pathways, organisational support and public recognition. Its apparent role is to strengthen both individual confidence and the local organisations around them, particularly in disadvantaged inner-city contexts. The organisation appears to work across life stages, from early years provision to youth development and adult employability, while using events and volunteering to widen participation and visibility.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Lozells
Confidence: high
Direct current evidence shows delivery in Lozells: the 2026 Summer Holiday Activity Scheme is running there. Ofsted also records the organisation as the registered person for Rainbow Day Nursery in Lozells, providing a continuing physical early-years service site.
- Community Foundation, Holiday Activity Scheme 2026. ([thecommunityfoundation.org.uk](https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org.uk/children-and-youth/holiday-activity-scheme))
The organisation states that its Summer Holiday Scheme is running in Lozells. - Ofsted, Rainbow Day Nursery provider record. ([reports.ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY486440?utm_source=openai))
Ofsted lists Rainbow Day Nursery in Lozells, with Community Foundation as the registered person. - Community Foundation, Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. ([thecommunityfoundation.org.uk](https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org.uk/communityservices/neighbourhood-watch-scheme))
The organisation describes a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme covering most of the Lozells area.
Small Heath
Confidence: high
Direct current evidence identifies Small Heath as a venue for the organisation's active 2026 Summer Holiday Activity Scheme. This is also a repeated delivery location in its 2024-25 annual review.
- Community Foundation, Holiday Activity Scheme 2026. ([thecommunityfoundation.org.uk](https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org.uk/children-and-youth/holiday-activity-scheme))
The organisation states that its Summer Holiday Scheme is running in Small Heath. - Community Foundation, Annual Review 2024-25. ([thecommunityfoundation.org.uk](https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org.uk/_files/ugd/24b36a_bd77e094585d4caaaf3b5b099d72035c.pdf))
The review records Summer, Winter and Easter Holiday Activity Schemes in both Lozells and Small Heath during 2024.
City Centre
Confidence: high
The organisation consistently identifies Quayside Tower as its central headquarters. This is direct evidence of a physical operational base in the City Centre; the annual review also records employability modules delivered at its City Centre location.
- Community Foundation website, homepage. ([thecommunityfoundation.org.uk](https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org.uk/))
The organisation identifies its Central Headquarters as Quayside Tower in Birmingham City Centre. - Community Foundation, Annual Review 2024-25. ([thecommunityfoundation.org.uk](https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org.uk/_files/ugd/24b36a_bd77e094585d4caaaf3b5b099d72035c.pdf))
The review states that Hatch Youth Employment Scheme modules were delivered at the organisation's City Centre location.
Remaining uncertainties
- The Charity Commission lists a contact address in Erdington, while the organisation's current website consistently gives Quayside Tower as its central headquarters. Available evidence does not establish whether the Erdington address remains an operational site, a historic site, or a correspondence address, so Erdington is not included as an operational area.
- The organisation delivers training, employment, digital-inclusion and organisational-support services, but its current website generally does not identify the Birmingham venues or neighbourhoods for those services. Their local reach therefore cannot be mapped reliably beyond the evidenced locations.
- The 2024-25 annual review says programmes transformed lives 'across Birmingham and beyond', and the Charity Commission lists a wider operating area including Birmingham, other West Midlands authorities and London. These statements support a wider organisational ambition and some activity beyond the two core Birmingham neighbourhoods, but do not provide enough current Birmingham location evidence to classify its local delivery as citywide.
- Partnerships materially support delivery, including Darul Uloom High School as the Small Heath holiday-scheme venue and Sea Cadets for water-sports activity. Other reported partners, such as UK Youth, KFC, St John Ambulance, Raspberry Pi Foundation and Vodafone, support programmes but do not by themselves evidence additional Birmingham operational areas.
Additional evidence needed
- A current programme timetable or service-location list identifying where ESOL, employability, advice, food-bank, digital-inclusion and organisational-support services are delivered.
- Confirmation from the organisation of the present status and function of its Erdington contact address, including whether it remains a service site.
- Current participant or delivery data by ward, together with confirmation of which partnership venues are recurring rather than one-off locations.
- A current list of the organisation's active Birmingham Neighbourhood Watch, estate-clean-up, community-safety and food-support locations.
Areas of work
- Economic/community Development/employment
- Education/training
- General Charitable Purposes
- Human Rights/religious Or Racial Harmony/equality Or Diversity
- Recreation
- The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
- The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
- People Of A Particular Ethnic Or Racial Origin
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Acts As An Umbrella Or Resource Body
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Human Resources
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A platform linking personal progress with community capacity
The organisation appears to pursue change at two levels: supporting individuals directly while also resourcing voluntary organisations. This may reflect a strategy that treats community resilience as dependent on both residents' opportunities and the capacity of local groups.
Why it matters
This distinguishes the organisation from a narrowly targeted service provider and suggests it may be an important connector within its local voluntary-sector ecosystem.
Show evidence
“It offers community services, training and employment opportunities, children and youth projects, and organisational support.”
Source:Organisation“It provides human resources, services, advocacy/advice/information, and acts as an umbrella or resource body.”
Source:Charity Commission
An apparent progression model rather than isolated projects
Rainbow Day Nursery, youth activity, placements, training and employment provision suggest an effort to create multiple routes into confidence, skills and work over time. The available evidence does not establish whether these services are formally connected, but they appear complementary.
Why it matters
If these offers are linked in practice, the organisation may reduce the risk that people lose support at common transition points such as leaving school or entering work.
Show evidence
“It provides Rainbow Day Nursery, children and youth services, and training and employment opportunities for young people and adults.”
Source:Organisation“Testimonials describe work placements, traineeships and support to develop confidence, communication and teamwork.”
Source:Organisation“Its objects include helping young people develop skills, capacities and capabilities to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.”
Source:Charity Commission
Recognition may be part of its community-building method
The Community Inspiration Awards appear to do more than celebrate achievement: they may create visibility for individuals and organisations whose contributions are perceived as overlooked, including people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Why it matters
This suggests the organisation may build civic confidence and relationships not only through services, but through public recognition and convening.
Show evidence
“It hosts the annual Community Inspiration Awards to celebrate individuals and organisations making a positive impact.”
Source:Organisation“A testimonial says the awards recognise contributions by individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds who often go unnoticed.”
Source:Organisation“Its charitable purposes include racial harmony, equality or diversity.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Which neighbourhoods and communities receive most support, and whether activity extends beyond Birmingham.
- Whether the organisation's services form a coordinated participant pathway or operate mainly as separate projects.
- Its scale, funding base, partnerships and evidence of outcomes.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports, accounts and outcome data disaggregated by service and beneficiary group.
- Information on delivery partners, referral networks, geographic reach and participant journeys between programmes.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Community Foundation is a grassroots voluntary organisation which seeks to improve the quality of life of marginalised and hard to reach communities living in areas of multiple deprivations. We set up initiatives and projects to develop communities to help themselves.
Charity objects
1.TO DEVELOP THE CAPACITY AND SKILLS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY IN INNER CITY AREAS OF ENGLAND IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY ARE BETTER ABLE TO IDENTIFY, AND HELP MEET, THEIR NEEDS AND TO PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY IN SOCIETY. 2.TO ADVANCE IN LIFE AND HELP YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH: (A) THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES PROVIDED IN THE INTEREST OF SOCIAL WELFARE, DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE; (B) PROVIDING SUPPORT AND ACTIVITIES WHICH DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS, CAPACITIES AND CAPABILITIES TO ENABLE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY AS MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS.