DCF in partnership with The Randal Foundation
This fund was aimed at organisations delivering projects which tackle the root causes of mental ill-health and provide opportunities for significant, long-term, positive mental health
26 January 2026
We are Devon’s community foundation – created by our communities, for our communities, to create the change our communities want to see.
We turn local giving into grants that change lives.
We work closely with our donors to ensure that their donations make a difference at the heart of their communities, drawing on our in-depth knowledge of small organisations that are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. If you have a desire to strengthen communities and tackle inequalities in Devon, we would be delighted to work with you.
There are many ways we can support you to give effectively in Devon, whether by setting up a family fund, making a one-off donation, or establishing a legacy. In many cases we are able to maximise donations by matching with those of other donors, as together we can achieve so much more than we can alone.
To make an online donation please click on the button below. It’s easy to make a single gift or support us with a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or yearly amount. Donations can start from as little as £2.
To discuss working with us, please contact our CEO, Mary Hancock on mhancock@devoncf.com or 01884 906 685 ext: 2006.
An initial donation is invested by our professional investment managers and the returns generated from this investment are used to provide funding across Devon, creating a permanent and sustainable source of support that is vital for the long-term wellbeing of our communities.
These donations are allocated over a specified period, typically within twelve months. They are used to provide immediate funding for projects across Devon, addressing urgent need in the community.
We also offer blended giving options for donors who wish to establish an endowment fund for perpetuity while simultaneously addressing immediate need. And we are always open to discussing other possible options.
Many individuals and families want to see their wealth having a positive impact in the communities where they live and work. Our knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting communities in Devon will ensure your donations are maximised and aligned with your charitable objectives. Our team handles all aspects of charitable administration and governance, supporting you to give effectively and enjoyably across Devon without the administrative burden of managing your own charity.
We work closely with our donors to ensure they feel connected to the organisations they support and can see how their giving is making a difference. This means you will receive regular updates on Devon Community Foundation’s work, an opportunity to visit at least one funded organisation a year, invitations to events, donor discussion groups, yearly fund statements and a yearly fund review meeting.
You might also want to consider incorporating a gift to Devon Community Foundation in your will. By including us in your estate planning, you can direct contributions to the causes and areas you are most passionate about, helping to fund essential grassroots organisations and initiatives across Devon. Find out more about leaving a gift in your will.
We provide bespoke support to businesses of all sizes, ensuring their charitable giving reflects their business values. We know that many businesses in Devon want to give back their communities but lack the time and expertise to do this strategically.
We can take on all aspects of governance and administration for your fund and manage the process of making grants. We provide regular updates on your charitable giving and can involve you and your staff in deciding which groups or causes to support.
Sometimes existing charities of grant-making trusts find it difficult to meet their charitable objectives or to identify beneficiaries. Their assets may be too small to have a significant impact or trustees may no longer be able to provide the commitment or time needed to run the trust effectively.
We can take on your charitable trust, revitalise it and ensure it continues to meet the charitable aims it set out to achieve.
Individuals are increasingly interested in how their wealth can have a positive impact on the communities in which they live. So as a professional adviser, it’s likely you are receiving more requests from your clients for advice on making financial decisions that align with their values and their desire to create change within Devon.
Offering philanthropy services is a way to meet this demand while strengthening client relationships, enhancing trust, and helping your practice stand out in a competitive market. Research has shown that one in five wealthy people over 55 are more inclined to become the client of a financial adviser who provides philanthropic advice, which rises to nearly three in five people aged 18-34. Philanthropic advice and an understanding of effective giving also improves client retention and loyalty.
By integrating philanthropic advice and support into your services, you can help clients at all levels of wealth achieve progress and impact during their lives that reflects their values and enriches communities in Devon, as well as giving you a significant edge over your competitors.
We are experts in the field of philanthropy and can add value to the service you provide to your clients, supporting them to give effectively and enjoyably across Devon without the administrative burden of managing their own charity.
Devon Community Foundation can also manage community benefit funds, that are often generated from renewable energy projects, but can also come from a community asset being transferred for the benefit of a local area. These are specialist funds and we have several that we look after across Devon. Explore our community benefit funds here.
Find out about some of the groups we have funded thanks to our generous donors and funding partners.
This fund was aimed at organisations delivering projects which tackle the root causes of mental ill-health and provide opportunities for significant, long-term, positive mental health
MoMENtum’s provides peer support for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse, offering a sense of belonging and acceptance. We learn more about their work.
We hear how Uplift supports parents in Tiverton to develop the knowledge and skills to help their children thrive.
The Happiness Outdoors Project (HOP) is a community interest company with a mission to get children outside connecting with nature – from juicing apples to racing worms!
In May 2025 the Newton Abbot Youth Council celebrated its first birthday. We found out how this project is giving young people a voice in their local community, and what it has achieved so far.
We’ve awarded grants to 14 groups and charities working with children and young people thanks to funds from Devon-based clothing wholesaler, PenCarrie.
Your donation will make a difference to grassroots organisations across Devon that are strengthening communities and tackling inequalities.
Together, we can create the change that Devon’s communities want to see.
