# Anonymous donor gives a further £1.5 million to Community Foundation

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/07/24/anonymous-donor-gives-a-further-1-5m-to-community-foundation/
- Published: 2019-07-24T13:28:08+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**An anonymous donor has made a third major gift to the Heart of England Community
Foundation, bringing the total value of her or his gifts to £7.5 million in a little
over one year.**

The latest gift of more than £1,584,094 follows an [initial gift of £4 million](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/05/14/anonymous-4m-donation-leads-new-fund-west-midlands/)
in May 2018 and of [£2 million](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/10/10/anonymous-donor-gives-heart-england-community-foundation/)
in October 2018. 

As a community foundation, The Heart of England Community Foundation is a specialist
grant-making charity which awards money to local voluntary and community groups 
on behalf of a range of donors.

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The latest donation was given because “the donor has been so impressed with how 
the Foundation has managed the original donation”.

The total amount given by the donor makes it by far the largest amount of money 
received from one donor in the Foundation’s 24 year history. Unusually for such 
a major gift, the new donation is unrestricted, which means the Community Foundation
will have control over where the funding will be distributed, rather than being 
led by its donor.

 

![Tina Costello](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2018/10/Tina-Costello-2.jpeg)

_Tina Costello_

Costello said:

> “When I was told the amount of money we’d be receiving, I had to pull my car over–
> I was just overwhelmed.
> “This incredible amount of money will allow us to develop our own grant-giving
> programmes for the first time. The majority of our grant programmes are donor 
> led which is great, because it means our donors have a strong say and personal
> involvement in who benefits from their money.
> “However, this wonderfully generous anonymous donor has given us the freedom to
> develop and implement our own grant programmes, based on evidence of need across
> our region.
> “The anonymous donor has been instrumental in changing the landscape and direction
> of the charity and has enabled us to grow and develop in the way we support our
> communities.
> “This money is allowing us to move in a new direction and I’m looking forward 
> to getting started.”

 

## Building Better lives

The original donation of £4 million has been used to set up the ‘Building Better
Lives’ initiative by the Foundation. The scheme will be used to support up to three
projects across the West Midlands Region that have a successful track record and
expertise in delivering capital projects and support for vulnerable and disadvantaged
people.

Costello added:

 

> “I have to say a massive thank you to the donor for continuing to support us –
> it shows an incredible amount of faith in what we do and I couldn’t be prouder.
> “The Building Better Lives initiative was made possible thanks to their money,
> and we hope to distribute the money to projects in the next few months.
> “But I still couldn’t believe how large their recent donation was. We can’t wait
> to use the money to transform people’s lives.”

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