Research into models of high engagement funding - 30th June 2010
IVAR is undertaking a major study into 'high engagement funding' (funder plus) over the next twelve months. The research has been commissioned by the Barrow Cadbury Trust, The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and the Trust for London.
The practice within charitable grant-making bodies of supporting granteers above and beyond the provision of grants has a long history. However it is only in the last decade or so that it has received any sustained attention from researchers. This study aims to address the relative paucity of evidence around the practice by:
- identifying and analysing the core charateristics of a range of different approaches to 'high engagement funding' by UK charitable funders
- identifying the principal benefits, challenges and risks from the perspective of grantmakers, grant recipients and others
- generating useful learning about this approach for charitable foundations and the wider voluntary sector.
We are using the term 'high engagement funding' to describe the broad trend of funding plus support designed to increase organisational sustainability and effectiveness as well as the 'impact' of funding programmes. Support might include: organisational development or capacity-building; funders setting up forums or organisations where there are gaps; linking organisations with policy makers; and organising learning events.
The research will be led by Ben Cairns (ben@ivar.org.uk), Director of IVAR, working with Alison Harker and Steven Burkeman.