Guildford Philanthropy

Dedicated to reducing social inequality, especially supporting the development of work skills and training.

What is Guildford Philanthropy?

Guildford Philanthropy was launched in 2014 by Guildford Borough Council and the Community Foundation of Surrey to inspire local philanthropy and create a permanent source of capital to support and benefit the local community. Helping disadvantaged and vulnerable people develop their work skills and confidence.

How we help people

We celebrated our 10th anniversary in 2024, and were proud to reflect on a decade of community unity and awareness-raising. Through generous donations from local residents and businesses, we've built an endowment fund exceeding £900,000. The investment returns from this fund will enable us to award grants annually, ensuring sustained support for our community.

Additionally, we've already granted over £400,000 to local charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups. We've also provided mentoring, connected organisations with other funding sources, and rallied 35 businesses as Corporate Ambassadors to network and assist those in need within our community.

Guildford Philanthropy Volunteers

Guildford Philanthropy is powered solely by volunteers who kindly give their time and expertise, and apart from a small admin fee to the Community Foundation of Surrey, all donations go to support good causes.

We are very grateful to Guildford Borough Council, who have for several years provided match-funding support so that all donations are increased by 50%, boosting the help we can provide to our local community.

Guildford Bike Project attendees with high vis jackets holding spoked bike wheels up and smiling in a workshop
Guildford High Street looking down the hill towards the clock tower

Guildford Philanthropy’s Aims

  • Raise awareness and engage the local community

  • Support projects offering training, work experience, and job opportunities to those in need, including those with poor education, disabilities, or mental illness

  • Build confidence and self-esteem through access to work environments and skill development

  • Assist local charities, community, and voluntary organisations to become more sustainable

  • Enhance their ability to address community needs

Matched Funding

Guildford Philanthropy gives everyone the chance to support their local community. To encourage potential philanthropists, Guildford Borough Council will match fund every £1 of private donations with a further 50p. If you are a UK tax payer your donation may also be eligible for Gift Aid, helping your donation go even further!

Graphic depicting a donation of £1000 plus Matched Funding of £500 and Gift Aid of £250, means that your total gift will be £1750

Make a donation.

Donations can be made at any level, either as one-off donations or spread over a period of time. They can be donated as gifts of cash, legacies, shares, property or land.

The easiest way to give is through the form at the top of the page, which will direct your donation directly to Guildford Philanthropy. If you would prefer to make a bank transfer, please contact us.

Don’t forget Gift Aid! Using Gift Aid means that for every pound you give, Guildford Philanthropy will receive an extra 25p from HM Revenue & Customs, helping your donation go further.
A graphic hand presenting a heart with the text "Start the application process here"

Apply for funding

Applying for funding is easy. Simply fill out a quick Expression of Interest Form (EOI) to start the application process.

Tell us what you want to do, and how much you would like to apply for. The EOI is designed to save you time and provide us with a little more information about your funding needs prior to making a full application.

The grants team will then review your EOI against our fund criteria and advise you if we can invite you forward to make a full application.