We have recently been able to make Supporting the Supporters funding available thanks to our partnership with the Sedel-Collings Foundation. This funding is just one of the ways in which we are working with the foundation to create real change for communities in Devon.
The Sedel-Collings Foundation was set up in 2006 by Rae Sedel and John Collings with a mission to empower and sustain vital community services. Following the death of the founders in 2021 the foundation is now run by four volunteer trustees who use their expertise to oversee careful management of the fund in line with the couple’s wishes and experiences, focusing its giving in the following areas:
We have partnered with the Sedel-Collings Foundation to support local charities and voluntary organisations working in the areas above. The foundation has similar partnerships with Community Foundations in Jersey, Surrey and Cornwall.
The Sedel-Collings Foundation’s approach to giving places a strong emphasis on sustainable giving and visiting the charities it supports to understand their needs and build collaborative partnerships.
The foundation also focuses on working with smaller charities. This is because relatively modest grants can have significant and meaningful impact on small organisations. The trustees’ goal is to help small charities grow and thrive to the point where they can become self sustainable and less reliant on donations.
Through Devon Community Foundation, the Sedel-Collings Foundation has donated more than £260,000 to community organisations in the county. This has included grants to a charity supporting bereaved families, a project supporting asylum seeking women affected by domestic violence and an organisation offering group art sessions for marginalised communities. The trustees’ flexible and trusting approach to working with us means that we can direct money to where it is needed the most and will have a lasting impact.
Looking ahead, the foundation plans to continue carefully managing and investing its money so that it can support charitable causes in Devon and the UK for at least another 15 years. A key part of its strategy includes partnering with other donors and leveraging match funding opportunities.
When asked for his advice to others wishing to give back, one of the foundation’s trustees, said: “When donating, it’s important not to view it as giving your money away, but as giving back. This way of thinking makes it easier to let others join in so that they can contribute their time, skills and expertise in a way that maximises the effectiveness of your giving. Community Foundations are a perfect example of this because it’s like collaborating with a wealth manager – they know how to maximise the impact of your contributions.”
