Open, trusting, and evolving: what we’re learning from our communities about better grant making
By Jacqui Scott, HIWCF CEO HIWCF recently signed up to the IVAR (Institute for Voluntary Action Research) ’Open and Trusting’ initiative, a programme which asks funders to commit to eight pledges around our approach to grant making: these include transparency, flexibility, proportionality and more. For us, this has been part of wider efforts toward more […]
What the decline in UK giving means for our communities
By Jacqui Scott, HIWCF CEO On Sunday 22 March, I had the opportunity to join BBC Politics South alongside local MPs, Alex Brewer MP (North East Hants) and Dr Beccy Cooper MP (Worthing West) to discuss a growing challenge for our sector: the decline in charitable giving across the UK. The latest research shows a […]
Funders collaborate in Hampshire to support young people
Research shows that young people are among those most affected by social fragmentation and polarisation. The national £3.4m Lead the Change programme is focused on two key areas: systemic issues causing division in communities and youth social action. The programme will amplify youth voices and nurture young community leaders in Portsmouth, Southampton and Aldershot. On […]
Community Lens roundtable: what we heard, what must change, and why it matters
By Jacqui Scott, HIWCF CEO On Giving Tuesday I had the privilege of hosting our latest Community Lens roundtable – a space we’ve created for frontline organisations to speak candidly about what they are seeing, what is keeping them awake at night, and how the wider system is affecting the people they support. Every time […]
Helping young people thrive: the lasting impact of funding for Care Leavers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
HIWCF hosted a Care Leavers roundtable in January 2025 By Jacqui Scott, HIWCF CEO At HIWCF, the golden thread through every grant we make is a deep and enduring commitment to alleviating poverty and inequality. This is particularly important, and urgent, in the lives of young people leaving the care system. Through our partnerships with […]
Community Lens Podcast: understanding the experiences of Care Leavers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
In this episode of the HIWCF Community Lens podcast, CEO Jacqui Scott speaks with two guests who bring both professional insight and lived experience to the topic of young people leaving the care system: Kirsty Robertson, CEO of Motiv8, and Liz Hubbuck, Youth Engagement Manager at the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Office of the […]
A commitment to seeing our communities flourish
URBOND is a youth development organisation funded by HIWCF and based in Portsmouth By Rob Wood, HIWCF Trustee As someone who has lived and worked in Portsmouth for over 45 years – as a business man, a former City Councillor and Lord Mayor, and now a trustee for HIWCF – I’ve seen first-hand how poverty […]
Addressing poverty and inequality: the role of local giving
As a trustee of HIWCF, Chairman of the New Forest Basics Bank (NFBB) and the founder of the New Forest Fareshare Larders, I see first-hand the realities of poverty and inequality in our community. For the past five years, I have been working on the front lines, dedicating four to five days a week to ensuring that those in need have access to essential food supplies.
International Day of Charity is a call to action for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
Every year on 5th September, the International Day of Charity shines a spotlight on the vital role that charities and community groups play in our society. It is a day designed to bring people together in solidarity, and to encourage us all – as individuals, businesses, and communities – to take part in charitable activities that can change lives.
A lifeline in a crisis: how HIWCF helped Aurora New Dawn
Aurora New Dawn is a Hampshire-based charity supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking. In this interview, HIWCF speaks with CEO Shonagh Dillon
Philanthropy with purpose: charitable giving and legacy planning with HIWCF and Foot Anstey
For those thinking about the legacy they’ll leave behind, charitable giving can be one of the most powerful and personal ways to make a lasting difference. In a recent conversation, HIWCF CEO Jacqui Scott sat down with Rachel Brooks, private wealth partner, and Robert Davies, tax specialist, at UK law firm Foot Anstey, to explore […]
Our hidden health heroes
Every day across our region there’s a workforce of unsung heroes who are delivering innovative and vital solutions to some of the most complex and pressing health issues we face in our society.
Why small charities matter, and why they deserve our support
Around 96% of all UK charities have incomes under £1 million. That’s a staggering fact. These are often volunteer-led, stretched for resources, and juggling governance, service delivery and fundraising all at once.
Seeing the life changing impact of grassroots support
HIWCF was delighted to host its first Seeing Is Believing visit of the year in Kempshott, Basingstoke on 1 May. This unique event provides an opportunity for HIWCF donors and fundholders to see the impact of their generosity in deprived communities within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Investing in skills across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
I have focused on addressing the impact of poverty and deprivation throughout my career in the public sector, including my role as Chief Strategy Officer at Southampton City Council and continue to do so now through my voluntary work. During this time, I have seen both the deep-rooted challenges that hold people back from fulfilling their potential.
From individual impact to collective strength: how HIWCF is transforming local giving
At Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF), we champion local giving. Since the pandemic, our communities have proven they are rich in compassion, resilience, and generosity – but they are also facing unprecedented challenges. Rising costs of living, health and social inequalities and social isolation are intensifying, leaving too many individuals and families struggling to make ends meet.
Give Together, Give Local: HIWCF’s new campaign to strengthen communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) has launched a major new campaign, Give Together, Give Local, to encourage collective giving and increase support for grassroots charities and community groups across the region.
HIWCF hosts Care Leavers Round Table
Following the recent launch of our three year funding programme for local care leavers, we were delighted to host a Care Leavers Round Table. Professionals from a range of sectors came together to share their experiences of how services can be shaped to provide the best possible support for care leavers transitioning into independent living.