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Celebrating 20 Years: 20 Reasons to Give Locally

 20 Reasons to Give Locally: celebrating the best reasons to support small, local charities and groups in Kent and Medway

As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, we will be releasing a series of 20 fantastic things about the voluntary sector in Kent and Medway, starting with why it's great to give locally. 

  • Support local people in need

  • Help build stronger local communities

  • People in need are not always far away, even in a county considered to be wealthy there are pockets of hidden poverty

  • Create a lasting legacy which your family can cherish both now and when you’re gone if you choose to leave a gift in your Will

  • Local charities understand local issues and how to address them because they see and experience it first-hand

  • Keep physical, local presences thriving, which provide a safe place for people to seek help or a space to be with others experiencing the same challenges (which is increasingly in need due to COVID e.g. food banks, counselling centres, befriending services and clubs, and places for those fleeing domestic violence)

  • It’s a way to give back to and boost your sense of belonging within the local community

  • Small and Micro charities make up more than 80% of the voluntary sector*

  • It’s easy to find a charity or group addressing a certain (often very specific) need that is close to your heart, as well as your home

  • The impact of giving can often be seen faster through local groups who are ‘on-the-ground’ and can act quickly

  • It fulfils a sense of personal responsibility to look after your local community

  • Smaller amounts can make a greater difference to local charities and communities

  • Small, local charities rarely have big marketing and fundraising budgets, so support is especially valuable…

  • ...equally, you can be sure your donation won’t be poured into costly advertising campaigns

  • Invest in the healthy development and evolution of the community for you and your family, as well as others, for years to come

  • Protect Kent and Medway’s green spaces for all to enjoy and experience the physical and mental benefits 

  • There are more opportunities to get involved personally e.g. fundraising or volunteering – great for that ‘feel-good’ factor 

  • Local charities and groups are more accessible and easier to communicate with 

  • There is great reporting and sense of accountability for the difference donations or volunteered hours have made from small, local groups

  • Join the growing number of philanthropists recognising the strength of local groups and distributing funds to those charities close to local need


MASSIVE 'thank you ' to everyone at Kent Community Foundation. Your funding support is HUGELY appreciated and has enabled us to get into the heart of local communities with REAL, affordable, healthy and tasty food that does so much more than feed people.

Community chef Mike Spackman, Sheppey Matters

KCF's enthusiasm for what we are doing and hoping to do, coupled with helpful advice, gave us the confidence to take this daunting step which has paid off.

Liz Turner, Octopus Foundation

It's great having a foundation that empowers organisations and charities in our community to make real positive differences and changes!

Tom, MMK Mind