‘A place to turn when times are tough’: Leeds fund launches £500,000 appeal to support struggling families

From helping families access specialist support to giving people a place to turn when times are tough, The Leeds Fund has supported more than 23,300 people over the past decade.

And now it needs to raise £500,000 to help more residents facing financial hardship.

For ten years, the fund has helped community organisations across Leeds make a difference to people’s lives, investing around £4.6 million in local projects tackling some of the city’s most pressing challenges.

Now, as families continue to struggle with the cost of everyday essentials, Leeds Community Foundation is marking the fund’s tenth anniversary by launching a new appeal to help grassroots organisations continue supporting those who need them most.

Since its launch in June 2016, The Leeds Fund has supported work addressing mental health, loneliness and isolation, enterprise and employability, as well as helping community groups build resilience during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Steph Taylor, CEO of Leeds Community Foundation, said: “Over the past ten years, The Leeds Fund has shown what can be achieved when people come together to invest in their city.

“We’ve supported thousands of people by helping community organisations respond to some of Leeds’ most pressing social challenges, from mental health and loneliness to the impact of the pandemic.

“Today, the cost of living crisis is putting even greater pressure on individuals, families and the organisations they turn to for help. Community organisations are an essential part of the city’s social fabric, but they cannot meet this growing need without sustained support.

“Our new cost of living focus is about making sure these organisations can continue to be there for people when they need them most. We’re asking businesses and individuals to join us in building on the impact of the past decade and helping create a fairer Leeds for everyone now and in the future.”

According to data in the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s cost of living tracker this summer, almost two thirds of people reportedly could not afford at least one essential item during the first half of 2026, while more than 39,000 people claiming Universal Credit in Leeds are in work.

Leeds based community group Afrikindness received a 2024 Leeds Fund microgrant, which helped ethnic minority families with neurodiverse children access culturally sensitive autism support, improving understanding, reducing stigma and building confidence to support their children.

Bunmi Owolabi, CEO of Afrikindness, added: “For community organisations like ours, funding from The Leeds Fund can make a real difference. It helps us respond to local needs, provide vital services and reach people who might otherwise struggle to access the help they need.

“We’re seeing more people turn to us for support, often facing difficult choices about how to pay for everyday essentials. At the same time, our own costs are rising, making it increasingly challenging to keep up with demand.

“Support from funders like Leeds Community Foundation is therefore more important than ever. It helps us continue being there for our community, providing not just practical support, but a trusted place where people can turn when times are tough.”

To find out more about The Leeds Fund and how to contribute to its Cost of Living focus, visit https://www.leedscf.org.uk/the-leeds-fund-cost-of-living