‘All in it together’: Charities’ hopes for reviewing progress on Open and Trusting Grant-making
This autumn, we’re flipping grant reporting on its head for the second time and creating space where charities hold review sessions with funders about their grant-making practice. But what are charities hoping to get from this experience?
What do charities find challenging about grant-making?
Despite charities’ realism about the pressures funders are under, the competition for grants is acute due to the current economic situation and it is becoming increasingly challenging to apply for and secure funding. Many of our charity reviewers expressed their frustration at the disproportionate amount of work that funders require, often with overly long, repetitive and demanding processes to access funds which take up large amounts of valuable time and cause undue stress. This can be a particular issue for smaller charities with limited resources, and it is frustrating when feedback isn’t given if funding is declined.
A funding model that revolves around charities having to fit funders’ current interests then demonstrate how well the money has been used leaves little space for honesty and learning:
I can often be surprised by the amount that is asked of a charity (often small with limited resources) to access much needed funding.
Sometimes it can feel like funders and charities are working against each other, even though in reality we are working for the same thing.
What changes do charities hope to see?
Charities are hoping that funders’ involvement in the Open and Trusting community will encourage them to develop deeper understanding of each other, fostering more supportive relationships to work together more efficiently.
It will create opportunities for charities and funders to share data, balance skewed power dynamics and reflect on evidence ethically, which will in turn encourage better practice across the sector:
I am hoping this initiative will give funders more confidence to flex and change how they support the sector so those applying can still be reviewed, but in a way that starts from a place of trust and allows them time to focus on their mission and work.
I’m eager to see how this might help both funders and charities achieve more together, through enhanced mutual understanding.
I want to see how far funders can push themselves to be better beyond what exists and to continuously challenge themselves and open themselves up so that the sector can work better.
Some charities also spoke about the need for applying an intersectional and social justice lens to ensure resources reach those who need them most, helping to create more transparent, equitable and responsive funding practices which will contribute to a more inclusive society:
I’m especially excited about the potential to unlock more equitable funding opportunities for marginalised communities, reimagining approach to risk and due diligence and dismantling barriers in transparent application processes.
What does getting involved with Open and Trusting Grant-making mean for charities?
Charities have said that they relish the opportunity to form a collective charity voice to increase the impact of holding funders to account and they hope to create tangible positive change in the sector. They look forward to both charities and funders being able to see things from a different perspective and learn from others by articulating their own experiences of working with funders.
From the charity perspective, joining Open and Trusting is a way for funders to more confidently and collectively improve the funding experience, ultimately creating more positive outcomes for the communities they serve.
Mutual respect between charities and funders will create better partnerships and shared accountability with the hope of generating valuable learning opportunities:
As we look ahead to the future, those funders who recognise and respond to the evolving needs of the sector will undoubtably reap the rewards. A more open and transparent process can only be a good thing, and I hope it leads to significant, positive changes.
A very wise charity leader once said to me; ‘without us, funders are just a bank’. And without collaborative funders, we can’t achieve real change. So, here’s to a different kind of funding relationship where we are all in it together, focused on the cause, not the process.
What’s next?
We’re working with 30 charity reviewers over November to review the practice of 100 funders who have been signed up to Open and Trusting for over a year. We’ll be analysing the findings of this process, and will share our findings and next steps in the new year.
Thank You
With thanks to the charities who are reviewing our Open and Trusting Community:
- WellChild
- The Ubele Initiative
- Hambleton Community Action
- One25
- Together Co
- Suffolk Law Centre
- KINARAAA CIC
- Saving Lives
- George House Trust
- Woodcraft Folk
- SELFA Children’s Charity
- Migrants’ Rights Network
- Shared Parenting Scotland
- The Green Team
- Bridge Renewal Trust
- Just Fair
- WILD Young Parents Project
- Advice Support Knowledge Information
- Bone Cancer Research Trust
- Open Harmony CIC
- Optimise Foundation
- Ivison Trust
- Integrate UK
- The Change Foundation
- London Gypsies & Travellers
- Foresight (North East Lincolnshire) Limited
- Hamara Healthy Living Centre
- National Survivor User Network
- Friends of Hannah More
- Cardinal Hume Centre
- Havering Volunteer Centre
- Coco Collective Community Hub
- Chance UK
- Working Families
