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Devon Community Foundation

Established in 1996, Devon Community Foundation is a unique organisation, privileged to be working alongside people who are motivated by wanting to make a difference across Devon. We use our knowledge of local needs and the voluntary sector to manage high impact distribution of funds designed to achieve sustainable outcomes, awarding financial support on behalf of our Fund holders and donors, which enable local people to achieve inspiring change in their communities. The Foundation provides a flexible and personal way for individuals and organisations to invest in local projects, helping to ensure Devon’s communities thrive. The Foundation’s philanthropy advice and grant making services are quality assured through UK Community Foundations and endorsed by the Charity Commission.

Overview

Total reviews: 13


What was the overall relationship with the funder?
100.0
0.0
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
92.0
7.0
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
92.0
7.0
How many hours did your grant application take?

Median 4.5 hours

Top descriptors for this funder
13 Responsive
12 Friendly
9 Builds relationships
8 Positive leader in the field
8 Gives more than money
8 Understands nonprofits and issues

Latest Reviews

    Aug 7, 2020

    Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019

    The team at DCF are really friendly and approachable.

    Pros

    Positive leader in the field Gives more than money Risk taker Culturally sensitive Insightful Friendly Builds relationships Likes site visits Understands nonprofits and issues Openminded Responsive

    Cons

    What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?

    Current or former grantee

    If you were funded tell us the outcome

    Funded for amount requested

    What year was this experience?

    2019

    How would you rate this funder's accessibility?

    Excellent

    How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?

    Excellent

    Tell us one thing that this funder does really well

    DCF took the time to personally listen to our small charity’s needs and was able to respond through small grants when we really needed it most. It has been amazing to be supported for core costs as well as project funds. We have been fortunate to have received funds from several grant making organisations, yet the timing of funds and support from the team at DCF has single-handedly been the most influential funder in helping us grow. They have shown real faith in us and our work, whilst asking and caring about the detail, and this has made a huge difference to me personally as the charity’s founder. Thanks to DCF I have had the confidence and opportunity to be able to leave my employment elsewhere and focus purely on building our up charity’s impact. Huge thanks to the team.

    If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?

    Keep it up - you’re amazing.

    How was your relationship overall with the funder?

    Excellent

    Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?

    DCF really understand about how challenging it can be to grow a tiny charity into a small-medium size one and how it’s important to think wider than just project to project funding.

    If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.


    Reply from Devon Community Foundation

    Mar 22, 2023

    Thank you for your feedback. We strive to make a difference across Devon and are delighted to have supported you and your charity. We are still undertaking our grant review and it is good to know that it is not only the established groups that benefit from our support but new and developing ones. We like to think that we listen, your feedback gives confidence that we do.

    Jan 23, 2020

    Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019

    I think my colleague should know that the application process is fairly straight forward and simple to do. It requires some time, but it is very easy to follow and if you do need any support, the team are very helpful.

    Pros

    Positive leader in the field Gives more than money Culturally sensitive Friendly Understands nonprofits and issues Openminded Responsive

    Cons

    What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?

    Current or former grantee

    If you were funded tell us the outcome

    Funded for amount requested

    What year was this experience?

    2019

    How would you rate this funder's accessibility?

    Excellent

    I do not have any additional accessible needs that needed amending to fill out this form, but it was sent on a Word document so the size, font and colour could easily be changed if needs be. Or it could be printed off.

    How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?

    Excellent

    I think they are really successful - they help goals happen!

    Tell us one thing that this funder does really well

    They are really good at communicating to me, as someone who's requested a grant on behalf of someone else. I had a few questions during the application process and after, and I emailed and was responded to quickly and professionally, whilst still being friendly and sorting out my query.

    If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?

    I can't think of anything!

    How was your relationship overall with the funder?

    Excellent

    Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?

    Others should know to just apply, even if you're unsure if your grant request fits within their remit, just apply and see! This funder is really open-minded and has helped me with an application that is certainly not 'main stream' and probably not a usual request they get very often. At first I was dubious to apply, but I did and I am so happy with the outcome. I think as long as everything is explained clearly in your application and you communicate well with the funders, you should be okay! :)

    If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.


    Reply from Devon Community Foundation

    Mar 22, 2023

    Thank you for your feedback, which is much appreciated. It is reassuring to hear that there have been good communications between yourself and DCF during the application process and that we are able to accommodate your request for funding. It is worth noting that DCF staff don't decide whether or not to fund an application, this decision is made by an independent grant panel, who review applications presented to them based on fit to fund criteria and available funds. All our funding programmes, including our limited individual funding ones, have specific fund criteria and subject to criteria eligibility we will consider applications received for panel review. It is important that applicants check our eligibility criteria to ensure that an application will be accepted but if unsure, we are happy to have a conversation over the phone to discuss a potential funding application. We are currently closed for new applications whilst we embark on a comprehensive grant review and will be open again in the autumn in conjunction with a new website. The comments made in this feedback relating to a Word document application form are relevant to our review, with accessibility of our application process being one of the areas that we will be looking at.

    Dec 11, 2019

    Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018

    Quick and easy process. Very helpfull

    Pros

    Positive leader in the field Culturally sensitive Friendly Responsive

    Cons

    What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?

    Current or former grantee

    If you were funded tell us the outcome

    Funded for amount requested

    What year was this experience?

    2018

    How would you rate this funder's accessibility?

    Excellent

    How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?

    Excellent

    How was your relationship overall with the funder?

    Excellent

    If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.


    Reply from Devon Community Foundation

    Mar 22, 2023

    Thank you for your review. We have been listening to our applicants and will be taking into account feedback received to launch a fresh application process in autumn 2020, which will include quicker decision times and more of a focus on core costs, both of which should benefit the organisations we support across Devon.

    Nov 18, 2019

    Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018

    The application process is a very detailed one and takes a lot of time to complete. But the process is very thorough and also highlights details that perhaps other funders do not ask about. This is a good thing. Their response time is always very good.

    Pros

    Positive leader in the field Gives more than money Friendly Builds relationships Openminded Responsive

    Cons

    What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?

    Current or former grantee

    If you were funded tell us the outcome

    Funded for amount requested

    What year was this experience?

    2018

    How would you rate this funder's accessibility?

    Excellent

    How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?

    Excellent

    Tell us one thing that this funder does really well

    This funder has shown really good support when our charity's circumstances changed, and their support allowed us to carry on with the changes we needed to make to help us be a more sustainable charity. We are grateful to them for that.

    If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?

    No complaints and no advice needed!

    How was your relationship overall with the funder?

    Excellent

    Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?

    If you can get past the very detailed application process, it is certainly worth the effort. The funder is very responsive.

    If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.


    Reply from Devon Community Foundation

    Mar 22, 2023

    Thank you for your review, which is appreciated and great to hear that there are no complaints. As part of our current grant review we are looking at how we can make the application process a simpler one for all organisations, and especially smaller ones with limited resource capacity, and will be 'launching' our updated process in 2020. Thank you for highlighting that we supported you in relation to changes in your circumstances. As a funder, we appreciate that things don't always go to plan and that unexpected challenges sometimes arise. In these circumstances, we ask that grantees keep us updated on progress so that we can work together to agree how to move forward. For example, following discussion, we may be able to extend a grant period or agree to a change of use of the grant, subject to fund criteria eligibility. The important thing for grantees to remember is to contact us as soon as a potential issue arises, please don't leave it until the end of the grant period when it may be too late for us to introduce flexibility to support you.

    Nov 18, 2019

    Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018

    I would advise anyone to pick up the phone and speak to Devon Community Foundation because they are always so passionate about supporting. I was particularly impressed with the Fund Administrator's knowledge and insights. I would also advise interested parties to think creatively but maintain their core values and beliefs, to ensure they deliver the projects best suited to their remit.

    Pros

    Positive leader in the field Gives more than money Insightful Friendly Builds relationships Understands nonprofits and issues Responsive

    Cons

    What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?

    Current or former grantee

    If you were funded tell us the outcome

    Funded for amount requested

    What year was this experience?

    2018

    How would you rate this funder's accessibility?

    Excellent

    How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?

    Excellent

    I genuinely appreciated the communication from Devon Community Foundation, they go above and beyond when they see an organisation is genuinely passionate about supporting their client group.

    Tell us one thing that this funder does really well

    Devon Community Foundation go above and beyond with their support; despite being incredibly busy the Grant Administrator always had time to talk to me about a particular fund.

    If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?

    Keep doing what you're doing, you're all brilliant!

    How was your relationship overall with the funder?

    Excellent

    Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?

    Devon Community Foundation takes the time to build relationships and understand your organisation.

    If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.


    Reply from Devon Community Foundation

    Mar 22, 2023

    Thank you for your review. Our team strive to provide a friendly 'service' to grantees and to support them through the application process as appropriate; whether an organisation is applying to us for first time funding or repeat funding it is important that we gain an understanding of the work and/or project in order to determine whether any suitable funding is available. Organisations are always welcome to contact us by phone, this communication method helps us to build up those invaluable relationships.