More than one in 10 people in Birmingham have benefited from major £11.8 million Commonwealth Games legacy fund

A new independent report evaluating the impact of the Inclusive Communities Fund (ICF), which saw over £11.8m awarded to 388 organisations making a difference to communities right across the region, has been released.

It has revealed that 468,908 people benefitted from the ICF – amounting to 122 people in every 1,000 of the West Midlands and Warwickshire population.

The ICF was set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) with funding from the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS), and administered by the Heart of England Community Foundation in 2024.

In Birmingham, grants were awarded for projects including helping to deliver the Birmingham Pride festival and supporting staff salaries for those working with individuals with learning disabilities.

The report found that more than a third of overall projects helped improve mental health and wellbeing.

A total of 56 per cent of projects helped reduce social isolation, 53 per cent increased access to sport and 51 per cent supported vulnerable people.

The impact report has revealed that the largest amount of funding was spent on staff, with £3.8 million helping to create 149 jobs and attract more than 5,400 volunteers.

A significant amount was also spent on capital costs, with £3,002,534 awarded for investments including creating new spaces, completing repairs and refurbishments, and installing new boilers and lighting, enabling projects to future-proof their delivery.

The report highlighted that organisations have seen their reputation enhanced thanks to the ICF, enabling them to reach more people.

Now, a total of 84 per cent of projects plan to continue delivering post-ICF, and 65 per cent have secured additional funding to do so.

The report was commissioned by Heart of England Community Foundation to evaluate the ICF and its lasting legacy.

Helen Kendrick, Senior Operations Manager at the Foundation who led on the delivery of the ICF, said: “This report truly demonstrates the impact and power of giving to local communities.

“The ICF programme was large and fast paced, delivered over just seven months, and this report reflects on the incredible difference it has made.

“It is fantastic to see just how many people were impacted by the ICF right across the region, and also the incredible legacy it has left.”

Tina Costello OBE, Chief Executive of Heart of England Community Foundation, added: “This was the most challenging programme the Foundation has ever delivered in terms of scale and time constraints.

“I am incredibly proud that we successfully supported over 380 organisations doing vital work in our communities, and I truly hope the ICF has made a lasting difference to people’s lives.”