In September 2018, a research team from Coventry University, led by Dr. Michael Whelan within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, will lead a new research report commissioned by the Community Foundation.

The report, which will present the key challenges faced by communities across Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull, will be used to support the Foundation’s distribution of grant funding within these localities. The Foundation hopes to use the findings to strategically develop new funding programmes and invest funding in areas where we can achieve the greatest impact.

This project follows a similar report which was launched at The University of Wolverhampton in March 2018 to unearth priorities for Birmingham and the Black Country. The Foundation will now seek to establish a steering group to help guide the project over the next 12-14 months. The steering group will play a pivotal role in supporting the research team at Coventry University in ensuring that the project delivers against its plan.

Ryan Boyce, Senior Manager for Development at the Foundation, who is leading the project said:

“This is another positive and proactive step forward for the Community Foundation as we develop appropriate resources for our future grant making. Our report for Birmingham and the Black Country was hugely successful and we continue to develop its use. Alongside that work, we now look forward to working closely with Michael and his team at Coventry University over the next 12 months to develop our unique offer for the West Midlands.”

More information about the project will be available in due course.

If you would like to express an interest in joining the project steering group please contact Ryan via email: ryan@heartofenglandcf.co.uk or call him for a chat: 02476 883264