Blog
We feature the voices of charities, foundations and public agencies we work with, and share our take on both opportunities and challenges for the voluntary sector.
Recent blog posts
-
BlogCarrying the Big Local flame: what happens when funders hand over power?
Read more: Carrying the Big Local flame: what happens when funders hand over power?As Local Trust prepares to close, a new pilot by IVAR and Yorkshire Funders…
-
BlogM&A as stewardship, not absorption
Read more: M&A as stewardship, not absorptionAcross civil society, financial pressure and turbulence are making mergers an urgent topic. Bonnie…
-
BlogArrive gently and stay a while: how two funders chose prevention
Read more: Arrive gently and stay a while: how two funders chose preventionPractical lessons for funders taking prevention seriously: how two grant-makers are moving money away…
-
BlogTen funders, one form: the story behind Yorkshire’s common application
Read more: Ten funders, one form: the story behind Yorkshire’s common applicationWhy do charities have to answer the same questions twenty different ways? Carla Marshall…
-
BlogShifting power, building trust: Reflections from new Head of Open and Trusting, Helen Kersley
Read more: Shifting power, building trust: Reflections from new Head of Open and Trusting, Helen KersleyHow funding is delivered matters as much as what gets funded. In this introductory…
-
BlogTrust-based learning: embracing collective wisdom
Read more: Trust-based learning: embracing collective wisdomEvaluation Roundtable Convenings – February 2026 The February 2026 Evaluation Roundtable continued our exploration…
-
BlogCommunity buildings: strong foundations for renewal
Read more: Community buildings: strong foundations for renewalCommunity buildings are where a neighbourhood comes together: to meet, to organise, to reach…
-
PublicationCollective Futures – Learning from Discovery Partners
Read more: Collective Futures – Learning from Discovery PartnersThis briefing shares learning from Collective Futures’ Discovery Partners programme, exploring what a relational,…
-
PublicationNot just another grant: Lessons from the development of three citizen-led pooled funds
Read more: Not just another grant: Lessons from the development of three citizen-led pooled fundsFunders were not simply seen as financial backers but as co-producers of change. Pooled…
-
BlogTrust and AI: How Open and Trusting funders are communicating about AI
Read more: Trust and AI: How Open and Trusting funders are communicating about AICharities applying for funding have always had to second-guess what funders want. Now, with…
-
Publication‘The best funding’: How multi-year unrestricted grants enable small and medium-sized local charities to support people facing complex issues
Read more: ‘The best funding’: How multi-year unrestricted grants enable small and medium-sized local charities to support people facing complex issuesImagine a world where small and medium-sized charities can plan for the future, invest…
-
PageOpen and Trusting: Accountability 2026
Read more: Open and Trusting: Accountability 2026Open and Trusting: Accountability 2026 Open and Trusting is more than a tick box,…