Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation

Who we are

Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation is an independent charity. We exist to tackle disadvantage and strengthen local communities by inspiring philanthropy and supporting the voluntary sector.

Our vision is of fair, resilient and thriving communties across Wiltshire and Swindon. 

We are dedicated to improving lives across Wiltshire and Swindon by building local philanthropy, providing grants and social investment and supporting the local voluntary sector. We are the largest independent funder in Wiltshire and Swindon.

Our culture and values

Our values guide us to make a meaningful and lasting impact within the communities of Wiltshire and Swindon, ensuring that our work is compassionate and effective.

Brave
We take bold, informed action on the issues affecting our community. We’re willing to pilot new ideas, push for change, and invest in people and projects with the potential for real impact.

Representative
We advocate for under-represented voices and ensure our work reflects the diversity of Wiltshire and Swindon. We listen deeply, engage widely, and tailor our support so no one is left behind.

Informed
We base our decisions on data, evidence and local insight. We use research and regular evaluation to focus our resources where they will make the greatest difference.

Collaborative
We work hand-in-hand with community groups, partners, donors and experts. By pooling knowledge and resources, we create solutions that address both immediate needs and long-term challenges.

Kind
We lead with empathy and respect. Our supportive approach builds trust, strengthens relationships, and fosters a sense of community.

Strategic
We use our resources wisely to create sustainable, long-lasting change. We set clear goals and prioritise work that tackles root causes and strengthens the future of our communities.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

At Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation, people are at the heart of everything we do and we recognise and understand that everyone has a unique contribution to make in helping our communities become stronger and more vibrant places for all. Therefore, we're passionate about creating and maintaining an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued, and reflects the diversity of our communities across Wiltshire and Swindon. This includes our board of trustees, staff team, volunteers, donors and grant recipients. 

Equity, diversity and inclusion is a key thread that runs through all areas of our organisation, and we are committed to developing and championing it through both our own work and that of our stakeholders. We want to contribute to a community where diversity thrives, and every individual feels empowered to contribute their unique perspective.

This approach is fundamental to achieving our vision and mission. That's why we ensure that every person who comes into contact with our organisation is treated with fairness and respect, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age. 

As part of our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, we have decided to monitor and share characteristics that describe the composition of our trustees and staff. We began this work in May 2023 by undertaking a survey of our team and have committed to repeating this annually.

While we want our trustees and staff to reflect the county we live in and the communities we support, we don't aim to match benchmarks number for number. Instead, we use benchmarks as a guide to identify areas and practices that need attention to ensure inclusivity.
Our organisation benchmarking work is a key principle that underpins our approach to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and you can find out more about it on our website alonng with our EDI policy.