A fairer Leeds doesn't happen by chance as crisis looms for charities

It's marking a landmark 20 years supporting Leeds with £70m invested so far - but crisis is looming.

- by Nicola Adam

The Leeds Community Foundation announced a milestone £70m invested in communities at its recent 20th anniversary celebration event.

Since it was founded in 2005, the foundation has funded more than 2,400 charities, voluntary groups and grassroots organisations.

But it has also warned of a deepening crisis after being only able to support 30 per cent of applications so far in 2025, highlighting the mounting strain on local charities and voluntary organisations as funding becomes harder to secure.

Over the past two decades, Leeds Community Foundation has funded thousands of initiatives across the city, from transforming the Old Fire Station in Gipton into a thriving community hub to investing more than £100,000 in vital suicide prevention work in Leeds.