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.
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).
Blog
How funders can use adaptive strategy
By Naomi Chapman .
On 22 October 2024.
Using a flexible strategy can help funders stay open.
Blog
How grantmaking can embrace change and innovation
By Kathy Richardson.
On 12 September 2024.
We need to recognise the impact of social movements and new technology, focusing on human-centred design and measuring what really matters.
Resources
The youth mental health crisis
By Hannah Large, Lily Meisner, and Angela Kail .
On 16 June 2024.
We have identified six key areas where funders have the potential to create long-term positive change for children and young people mental health.
Blog
3 ways that funders can centre lived experience
By Katie Boswell .
On 14 May 2024.
Charities and funders are increasingly waking up to the value of lived experience.
Blog
Co-Missioning: a way to rethink how community and public sectors pursue outcomes?
By Samantha Magne.
On 1 March 2024.
Sam Magne, Knowledge & Learning Manager at The National Lottery Community Fund, reflects on their new discussion paper.
Blog
Measuring the impact of Participatory Grantmaking
By Natasha Friend .
On 23 February 2024.
Natasha Friend, Director of Camden Giving, encourages funders to consider Participatory Grantmaking.
Blog
Involving Experts by Experience in awarding funds
By Ged Cassell.
On 30 January 2024.
Barnwood Trust share what they've learned from giving Experts with lived Experience a genuine voice in awarding funds.
Blog
Balancing trust, evidence, and equity: how should funders evaluate and learn?
By Claire Gordon .
On 26 January 2024.
An update on our work to create an open access framework and toolkit for funders to monitor, evaluate, and learn from their grants.
Blog
Publishing with 360Giving: reflections from our Open Philanthropy programme
By Alfie Vaughan .
On 3 January 2024.
Alfie Vaughan, in collaboration with 360Giving, offers their reflections on being a first-time 360Giving publisher.
Blog
Funding the underfunded environment: how to invest where it’s needed most
By Flora Charatan .
On 21 December 2023.
In this blog, NPC Consultant Flora Charatan, writes of the challenges of funding neglected environmental causes.
