Communities Given a Boost
The Boost Initiative, managed locally by Somerset Community Foundation, will help release funds tied up in small, inactive charities, reactivate them and use them to support local communities across the county.

The project aims to address many of the difficulties faced by trustees and uses the local knowledge of the Community Foundation to target funds where they are most needed.

Director of SCF, Justin Sargent said, "We understand the difficulties that many trustees face in administrating charitable trusts effectively and as a result, many struggle to distribute their funds, or even become entirely inactive. Many of these funds were set up a long time ago, and the original benefactors wishes no longer apply in today's world."

The Boost Initiative will take referrals from trustees, professional advisors and local authorities. The scheme will link trusts to their local community foundation who will then use their experience, local knowledge and capacity to breathe new life into these vitally important community resources.

Justin Sargent added, "Our expertise means that the financial and administrative burden of delivering funds are removed, simplifying the grant-making process for trustees. While maintaining as much or as little involvement as they want, trustees can rest assured that the funds will make a difference.

Somerset Community Foundation had already facilitated the transfer of local trusts, including the WCS Pickford Trust and the Sir John Wills Memorial Fund.

For more information please contact Justin Sargent on 01458 833 133, or by email: justin.sargent@somersetcf.org.uk

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