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The funding is part of a £130 million nationwide drive by the Government to support thousands of groups and projects across the UK, working to improve local communities.  The win means the Foundation will be able to distribute £270,487 directly over the next 3 years in the form of small grant funding.  The first grants will be made in September.

The remainder of the award will be generated through the Endowment Challenge element of the programme. Whereby match funding from the office of the third sector, will enable the Foundation to turn each £3 raised in local donations into almost £5.  For local businesses and philanthropists who do their giving through this scheme the value of their donations will almost double and funds raised could reach more than £800k for the city in the 3 year period. 

"This is great news for Milton Keynes.  I urge individuals and businesses who want to give something back to the community to strongly consider this scheme.  The match funding enables such high returns on donations, so there has never been a more cost effective way to give."

The Milton Keynes Community Foundation is one of many Foundations across the UK to have won this award.  Stephen Hammersley, Community Foundation Network Chief Executive explained that the Milton Keynes Community Foundation has been chsoen to manage the scheme locally because of 2it's expertise in revitalising local communities through effective charitable giving, its knowledge of the local area and its proven ability to ensure that money invested in the local community will make a lasting difference."

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