When I saw the role of Head of Philanthropy at Sussex Community Foundation being advertised, I’ll admit - despite working for over 20 years with small charities and non-profits, I didn’t really know what a Community Foundation was. I certainly didn’t know the huge impact they have. But I do now. 

In just 100 days, I’ve been blown away by the powerful work happening at a very local level - work that is often unseen but completely vital. Community Foundations like ours are uniquely placed to connect those who want to give with the local charities who are working tirelessly to support our communities. And Sussex Community Foundation is doing that every single day. 

Over these past few months, I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of our existing fundholders as well as individuals who are intending to set up new funds with us in the future. These are people who care deeply about Sussex and the issues that exist on their doorsteps. They want to make a meaningful difference in their communities - and working with the Foundation allows them to do that in a structured and informed way. Our recent event held at the House of Lords was a fabulous opportunity to have many of these people in a room together and celebrate the impact of their charitable giving.   

I’ve also been out meeting some of the small local charities we support, including Pelican Parcels (pictured), to see the essential services they provide for some of the most vulnerable people across Sussex. Hearing their stories, understanding their challenges, and seeing their impact first hand has been one of the most meaningful parts of my experience so far. As a former CEO of a small charity myself, I really appreciate how difficult it can be to balance the frontline work with the fundraising necessary to keep going. I’m delighted to be playing a part in encouraging local charitable giving so that these organisations receive the support they desperately need.

I’ve also had the chance to connect with key local stakeholders, such as the MP for Lewes, James MacCleary, and Cllr Lesley Boniface to talk about how we’re supporting the voluntary sector in the area. These conversations reinforce the importance of our role in building bridges between donors, charities, and local government – which is more important than ever in the context of changing local government structures in Sussex.  

Another highlight of the past 100 days was an awayday hosted by the London Community Foundation, where I joined colleagues from five other Community Foundations to share best practice and fresh ideas. The UK Community Foundations network consists of 47 Foundations spanning the whole country, collectively making us the fourth largest funder in the UK. This local expertise combined with national impact is truly awesome, and I’m looking forward to more collaboration opportunities with my colleagues across the network.  

And at the heart of all of this? Relationships. Whether it’s with donors, grantees, colleagues, partners, or other Community Foundations, this role is all about making connections. I feel incredibly fortunate to be working with such a brilliant and committed team at Sussex Community Foundation. Every person here brings heart and dedication to what they do, and I’ve loved getting to know them. 

Looking ahead, the next few months bring exciting opportunities as we do some fresh thinking around our grant-making and introduce new systems to support our work right across the organisation. Despite all the current economic challenges, it feels like we’re at a moment of growth and momentum - and I’m thrilled to be part of it.