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The High Sheriff of Kent hosted an event to celebrate the difference that grassroots organisations are making across the county

Nadra Ahmed CBE DL The High Sheriff of Kent, in partnership with Kent Community Foundation, invited guests representing small charitable organisations to a ‘Causes That Matter’ event at Eastwell Manor on 7 November, to acknowledge, celebrate and thank them for the difference they are making to communities across Kent and Medway.

Over ninety guests joined the High Sheriff and the Kent Community Foundation team at the event to celebrate the brilliant, often unseen, and vital work that Kent’s grassroots organisations are doing within their communities. The majority of invitees were representing organisations who had received funding from Kent Community Foundation for the first time in 2023.

Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation welcomed the guests and introduced The High Sheriff who spoke about the difficulties within the charitable sector, the indomitable way that grassroots charities were facing these challenges and emphasized the important role of Trustees during Trustees week.

Natalie Smith, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Grants and Impact for Kent Community Foundation, then gave an overview of what was happening across the county. Natalie acknowledged that during the current economic climate it was proving difficult for many grassroots charities to secure funding from other sources, but offered her reassurance that Kent Community Foundation was there to help.

Nadra Ahmed CBE DL The High Sheriff of Kent said. “It was a real pleasure to meet so many wonderfully generous, dedicated and motivated people and to hear about the critical work that their organisations are doing for communities across our county.”

Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation said. “We have partnered with The High Sheriffs of Kent for the last six years to host Causes That Matter events. These occasions give us the opportunity to thank grassroot organisations for the work they do to support communities across Kent and enable guests to network, share their experiences and build relationships with the Kent Community Foundation team.” 

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