In the heart of West London, Hammersmith and Fulham is a borough teeming with diversity, energy and creativity, but also marked by inequality and economic disparity. In response to this, H&F Giving was born, a place-based giving scheme focused on unlocking the borough’s potential by channelling funding, support, and resources directly into the hands of the local community.
Louise Wilson, who has been a key part of the organisation for the past two years, sat down with us to talk about the journey of H&F Giving, its ethos, and why community support has never been more vital.
From Modest Beginnings to Major Impact
“H&F Giving came out of the place-based giving movement,” Louise explains, “and was founded in partnership by Hammersmith United Charities and Dr Edwards Bishop King’s Charity.” Since its early days in 2018, and becoming formally constituted as a charity in 2020, the organisation has grown significantly.
Today, H&F Giving has a turnover of around £500,000 and has invested approximately £1.8 million in grants across the borough since they started. These funds have supported a wide range of causes including digital literacy, refugee support, and helping those affected by the cost-of-living crisis. They run a range of targeted appeals and campaigns in the borough to unlock support. This includes raising funds for a Christmas Day lunch for older and vulnerable people, who would otherwise spend the day alone. They have also been the conduit to providing essential kit such as computers and refurbished bikes to people that need it in the community.
“Support we provide to the community varies in size and scope depending on the funding we are able to unlock, and we always work to grow pots of funding we have from other sources where we can. For instance, on our last Digital Support Fund round, we started off with a £20,000 pot that went towards grassroots community needs. That eventually rose to £30,000. It may not sound like a lot, but one example was funding a single computer for a debt advisor. That one machine helped hundreds of people access vital debt advice. Sometimes it’s the smallest things that have the biggest ripple effects.”
A Unique Role in the Funding Landscape
H&F Giving is one of around 20 place-based giving schemes across the country. Its role is multifaceted; both as a fundraiser and as a grant maker. “We work to add value,” Louise says, “We believe in Hammersmith and Fulham, and we exist primarily to get much needed funds to the organisations that are going to have the biggest impact. When you give to H&F Giving, you give knowing your money is going to go a long way to supporting the very people that live around you.”
Operating with a small but mighty team of just 2.5 people, the charity carefully balances delivering high-quality support while ensuring resources are deployed as efficiently as possible.
“There’s always this tension between wanting to operate leanly so that more money goes directly to the community, and also needing the capacity to do things well. We’re always navigating that.”
Meeting Growing Needs in Uncertain Times
As economic pressures grow and public services shrink, H&F Giving is seeing a shift in who’s turning to local charities for help. “We’re hearing that more people who are employed, people who’ve never accessed this kind of support before, are coming to community organisations for help. People can’t afford to make ends meet, even with jobs. That adds huge pressure to charities who are already stretched.”
Louise refers to a recent phenomenon dubbed ‘Awful April’, where rising bills and squeezed incomes collided to highlight just how precarious things are for many. “Now more than ever, it’s vital that we not only support our community but also work to tackle the root causes of these issues.”
It’s Not Just About Money
While funding is critical, H&F Giving is just as focused on connecting people, businesses and organisations. “Resources don’t only mean money; they can be time, skills, or even just sharing something on social media. We’re always interested in talking to anyone who lives in or cares about the borough.”
From partnering with local businesses to organise volunteering efforts, to facilitating creative ways for people to give back, Louise emphasises the importance of flexibility. “Olympia, for example, has worked with a platform called Earnt, which rewards people for volunteering. They've run projects with local organisations like the Barons Court Project and Age UK
Hammersmith & Fulham. Initiatives like these can help build community in unexpected but meaningful ways.”
She also encourages businesses to think more intentionally about corporate volunteering. “If you were going to pay for an away day, think about whether it could also support a community organisation. But be mindful, volunteering can take time and resources to organise on the charity’s side too. And no, there’s not always a wall that needs painting!”
Looking Ahead: Growing Together
With new challenges on the horizon, H&F Giving is preparing to launch a campaign in June, underpinned by a recent needs analysis report. “The campaign will be a call to action,” Louise says. “Our recent report has shown us how much need there is in the local area. We urgently have to address issues such as digital exclusion and community cohesion. We are calling on the local community to get behind our campaign and support us to make H&F a better place for everyone who lives here.”
Community engagement is central to their upcoming plans. “We’re planning a community sports day at Latimer School on 27th June. Think old-school egg and spoon races and tug-of-war. Businesses can enter teams, and it’s a great way to bring people together while raising funds.”
They’re also organising a padel tennis tournament on 2nd September, Café Bridge events, and will have spaces in next year’s marathon and the Fulham 10K. “We’re even thinking about how we can support smaller charities by joining together at cheer stations during major events.”
A Final Word
When asked what message she’d like to leave with readers, Louise doesn’t hesitate. “The work of local community organisations is more important now than ever. People need others they can trust, especially during difficult times. Whether you can give money, time, ideas, or just help spread the word, there’s a role for everyone in supporting the borough we all care about.”
H&F Giving is proving that meaningful change doesn’t always come from large institutions; it often begins right at home.