Following discussions between Capital Community Foundation and Thames Community Foundation, both organisations have announced their intention to merge into a single organisation, targeting the end of the year for completion.

The new merged community foundation will maintain local panels and local grant making, as well as all of the separate funds available. 

Dedicated help and support for charities will continue to be available to ensure the application process is as simple as possible, which will now be even easier for charities with a single contact point for more funds. 

In the meantime, as the merger is progressed, the day to day work of both organisations remains unaffected.

Both Foundations have been awarded a total of £8m from the Office of the Third Sector to support grassroots charities.

Carole Souter, chair of Trustees of Capital Community Foundation, said: “This merger makes complete sense for us both and will enable us to strengthen the role of Community Foundations in London. 

“Over the last five years, between us we have been responsible for over £17m of funding, making over 3,800 individual grants to over 2,200 charities and local groups.

Grant Gordon, Chair of Trustees of Thames Community Foundation, said: “This merger is great news for both our donors and the charities and community projects which through us they support.

"With more funds, a wider geographic reach, only one organisation to contact and greater efficiencies able to be delivered, a single merged Community Foundation will make it easier for charities as well as more effective for donors.”