By Stan Millar, Marketing & Communications Intern

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Bruce Topham, Grant Manager at Kent Community Foundation (KCF). For those who don’t know, Kent Community Foundation plays a huge role in supporting community projects by helping charities across Kent and Medway — helping connect local organisations with the funding they need to make a difference. Bruce’s role is right at the heart of that mission: he reviews applications, visits organisations, and helps funders understand the impact of their giving.

A Career Built on Community and Connection

Bruce’s career began back in 1986, when he started working for a high street bank. Over 26 years, he managed branches across Kent, developing a deep understanding of people and local communities. In 2014, a former colleague encouraged him to join KCF — and the rest, as they say, is history.

What struck me most was Bruce’s reflection on how work culture has changed. “Jobs used to be for life,” he said. “Staying with one company for 26 years was normal. These days, working somewhere for ten years feels like a long time!” His story is a reminder of the value of loyalty and consistency — qualities that clearly serve him well in the charitable sector.

No Two Days the Same

When I asked Bruce what a typical day looks like for him, he smiled. “There’s no such thing as a typical day,” he said. One day he might be in Medway, the next in Canterbury or Ashford, visiting organisations and assessing projects.

He spends much of his week out in the community, seeing firsthand how charities operate. “Going out to see organisations is my favourite part of the job,” he told me. “It’s so much easier for them to show us what they do in person — you can’t always get that from a written application.”

When he’s not out and about, Bruce is in the office reviewing applications, writing reports, and communicating with both funders and applicants. Impact questionnaires, he explained, are crucial to helping funders see the tangible difference their donations make.

Challenges and Rewards

Naturally, working with limited funds means tough decisions. Bruce admitted that one of the biggest challenges is turning down applications. “Sometimes you really want to fund a project, but the funder turns it down,” he said. “That’s hard — you feel like you’ve let people down.”

But Bruce and the Kent Community Foundation team didn’t stop there. They often look for alternative funders or joint funding opportunities  with other foundations, such as Colyer-Fergusson Trust , to ensure as many projects as possible get support. “There’s so much need in our communities,” Bruce reflected, “and we just try to do as much as we can.”

He emphasised the importance of learning from setbacks. “You can’t dwell on the ones that don’t go your way. You have to take the feedback, learn from it, and focus on what’s gone right.”

Technology and Transferable Skills

Our conversation also touched on how technology has transformed the way Kent Community Foundation works. From digital applications to virtual meetings, Bruce said that being confident with tech is now essential. “Younger people are often more comfortable with it,” he laughed, “but we all have to keep up!”

He also pointed out how transferable skills play a huge part in this kind of work. “Whether you’re managing people, communicating clearly, or organising your time — these skills are useful everywhere,” he said. As someone who trains people in hospitality, I couldn’t agree more.

A Fun Fact and a Musical Passion

When I asked Bruce for an interesting fact about himself, he lit up. He’s been following the band The Men They Couldn’t Hang for over 40 years, and in 2022, he even got to join them as part of their backing vocals. To top it off, he has five tattoos related to the band — a true fan if ever there was one!

Our Connection with KCF

Here at Lily’s, we’re proud to have a long-standing relationship with Kent Community Foundation. They were one of the first funders to support our project. Since 2018, Lily’s has received £103,599 in grants and an additional £27K loan through their social lending programme, and continued support that’s helped us grow and serve our community.

Since its launch in 2001, Kent Community Foundation has supported over 7,000 organisations and distributed more than £60 million to thousands of small charities and grassroots initiatives across Kent and Medway. In 2026, Kent Community Foundation will proudly celebrate its 25th anniversary, a huge milestone that speaks to their sustained impact and commitment. Partnerships like ours remind us how powerful collaboration can be when funders and community organisations work hand in hand.

Kent Community Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary next year, a huge milestone that speaks to their sustained impact and commitment. Partnerships like ours remind us how powerful collaboration can be when funders and community organisations work hand in hand.

Final Thoughts

Talking with Bruce was inspiring. His passion for helping others, his humility, and his dedication to the Kent community truly shine through in everything he does. Whether he’s assessing applications, visiting grassroots projects, or chatting with funders, Bruce embodies the spirit of what community work is all about — connection, compassion, and care.