More than 1600 community groups have benefited from a £4m programme run by the Community Foundation Network (CFN) and Comic Relief’s Sport Relief.

Independent evaluators Hall Aitken’s found the programme “used sport innovatively, to change lives and tackle social disadvantage".  The finding is based on research into grants made on Comic Relief’s behalf during 2007, by 53 local agents of whom 48 are Community Foundations.

The evaluators pointed out that the Sport Relief programme has succeeded in local community groups attracting more investment into their communities – for every £100 Sport Relief grant awarded £77 has been attracted in additional funding.

Beneficiaries have been diverse and include a football team in Glasgow run by the African Community Integration Centre, which combined matches with advice and information designed to give members a sense of community and reduce stress and isolation; a Lacrosse Club for disadvantaged youngsters from Manchester; a dance troupe for 4-to-70 year olds in Glasgow, and a motor project for young people in Salford which has led to a 60% reduction in car crime in the area.

“This is community foundations at their best, using individual solutions to meet the individual needs of local people in local communities,” said Lesley Talbot, Programmes & Operations Director for the CFN.