Civil Society Leaders Unite at UKCF Event to Drive Long-Term Community Change

LEADERS from across civil society gathered recently in London at UKCF’s summer event to promote collaboration and long-term solutions for UK communities.

The Interim Co-CEOs of UK Community Foundations (UKCF), Kaveed Ali and Ben Robinson have issued a call to action, emphasising that catalysing societal and environmental change in communities must be a priority for all sectors. Speaking at an intimate summer event in London, hosted by UKCF, the Interim Co-CEOs outlined the need for immediate and collective efforts to address the most pressing challenges facing society.

Ali said:

“At UKCF, we believe the responsibility for catalysing change rests with all of us. The challenges that UK communities face—whether it’s tackling inequality, addressing climate change or building economic resilience— demand a joined-up, collective approach. The time for action is now, and everyone has a role to play.”

The event brought together a selection of leaders from civil society, philanthropy and the corporate sector with the aim of fostering greater cooperation and shared thinking around long-term strategies for achieving meaningful and sustainable change. UKCF’s Interim Co-CEOs emphasised that the combined efforts of all stakeholders—philanthropists, community organisations, policymakers, think tanks and businesses—are essential to creating sustainable, inclusive change.

Ben Robinson highlighted the importance of building deeper connections between civil society organisations to maximise impact. He said:

“One of the biggest opportunities our sector has is our ability to collaborate across organisations, leveraging our diverse expertise to create long-term change. Together, we can achieve so much more, and these partnerships are essential if we want a more equitable, sustainable future for UK communities.”

Looking beyond the present

UKCF’s 2024-2027 strategy looks beyond the immediate horizon with a long-term focus on systemic change.

Robinson added:

“While immediate interventions are necessary, we must also focus on solutions that will have lasting benefits. Following the summer riots and social unrest, the need for transformative change is evident now more than ever, but this will take time. We want to shift the narrative so that funders move away from short-term fixes towards exploring longer-term solutions.”

UKCF has been a longstanding advocate for grassroots-led change, distributing over £170 million annually to local initiatives that support communities across the UK. Nearly 30 years old, UKCF remains committed to fostering collaboration across civil society, the wealth sector, local authorities and government to amplify local impact.

Robinson continued:

“At UKCF, we are evolving from being a transactional grant maker to being more transformational. It’s not all about the grants, it’s about what they show us and the learning we can achieve from them to understand the gaps and opportunities for community growth.”

The gathering of civil society leaders at UKCF’s event marked a significant step forward in the organisation’s efforts to inspire and lead collaborative action on some of the most urgent issues of our time.

A call for unity

The Interim Co-CEOs emphasised the critical role civil society plays in creating systemic change, urging organisations to pool resources and expertise.

Ali said:

“We’re calling on all organisations to join forces, not just in delivering services but in working together to identify long-term, sustainable solutions. Our collective strength is key to addressing the complex, interconnected challenges that face our communities today.”

Robinson added:

“Community foundations, in particular, have a unique ability to unite local organisations and initiatives, helping to ensure that efforts are coordinated and targeted where they are needed most. We have strengths but we also have gaps, like any other network, and we all know one organisation cannot succeed in its ambitions alone. By working together, we can catalyse the social and environmental change that is so urgently needed.”