Funder best practice
As a funder or philanthropist, the way you design your charitable giving matters. Our guidance on power dynamics, theory of change, cause related networks, DEI in grant making and what makes a good charity provide a broad overview of what makes funding effective. To take things further, consider funding place-based projects and taking a systems change approach.
Event
Funder drop-in: participatory grant-making
On 14 October 2025, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Zoom
Our funder and philanthropist drop-ins are for staff and trustees at grant-making organisations, and individual philanthropists.
Blog
Enabling climate action: 6 things funders can do
By Nick Addington.
On 30 June 2025.
Inform, Inspire, Inquire, Infrastructure, Invest, and Incentivise.
Blog
Why funders must rethink impact for long-term social change
By Andrea Zanin.
On 23 June 2025.
It’s time for a new funding mindset. One that is built on prioritising long-term outcomes, investing in relationships, supporting contextual complexity, and valuing stories alongside data.
Event
How to find and fund good organisations
On 11 November 2025, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm at Zoom
This seminar is for grant-makers, funders and philanthropists on how find and fund good organisations
Event
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in grant-making
On 16 September 2025, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm at Zoom
This seminar will explore Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in grant-making.
Blog
Now is the time for a government match-funding scheme to unlock growth
By James Somerville .
On 20 March 2025.
Match-funding should be used to tackle barriers to employment
Blog
How to decide if spending down is right for your foundation
By Hannah Large, and Sarah Denselow .
On 5 March 2025.
If you’re a trustee of grant-making organisation how could you approach this decision and what are some of the factors you might want to consider?
Resources
Understanding the role of community-led early years support
By Abigail Rose, Teresita Eguiguren, Claire Gordon, and James Somerville .
On 26 February 2025.
In this report we explore the types and distribution of community-led early years provision in England.
Blog
Governments need to partner with the impact sector, not just ‘get out of the way’
By James Somerville .
On 19 February 2025.
We know that ‘stepping back’ doesn’t work. The key is a true partnership to tackle shared challenges.
Blog
Funding and Philanthropy in 2025: 5 trends to watch
By Alex Hayes .
On 11 February 2025.
Increased use of AI, the growth of impact investing, responding to government policy, a potential gentle re-opening to applications, and the continuing rise of funder collaboration.
Resources
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning with trust and equity: a guide for grant-makers and philanthropists
By Claire Gordon, Emma Pearson, Sarah Denselow, and Erwin Hieltjes .
On 5 December 2024.
How to support support reflection, improvement, and ultimately better outcomes.
Event
Monitoring, evaluating, and learning for funders
On 12 February 2025, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm at Zoom
This session will take participants through the steps and considerations needed for funders to develop an approach to monitoring, evaluating and learning (MEL).
