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.
Blog
Funding for systems change
By Claire Gordon .
On 4 August 2026.
How funders need to change the way they work if they want to support systems change effectively — moving towards more collaborative, flexible, long-term and risk-tolerant approaches that address the root causes of social issues.
Blog
If philanthropy is personal, how can you find your charities?
By Kaan Yilmazturk .
On 24 July 2026.
A thought piece on how funders can make more thoughtful, relationship-centred funding decisions by understanding systems, using AI wisely, and learning as they go.
Resources
The invisible field
On 15 July 2026.
Why we need to have a conversation about funding for boys and young men
Resources
What is a reasonable evaluation ask?
By Lily Meisner, Elliot Trevithick, Brendan McGowan, Kerry Dowding.
On 9 July 2026.
Five lessons for grant-makers on designing proportionate, flexible and relationship-centred monitoring, evaluation and learning requirements.
Blog
If trust is the unique selling point, who should funders back?
By Kaan Yilmazturk .
On 12 June 2026.
Many charities don’t stand out through scale or efficiency, but through relational infrastructure. Effective funding therefore relies on a proportionate due diligence and a more personal assessment of values, relationships, and local context.
Blog
Rethinking the assets funders bring to capacity building
By Kaan Yilmazturk .
On 29 May 2026.
Rethinking capacity building as a long-term, system-level investment to strengthen the health and resilience of nonprofits that deliver lasting impact.
Event
Funder drop-in: Using data to fund complex systems
On 24 June 2026, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Zoom
This event will help charities and nonprofits use data and numerical evidence to measure and convincingly demonstrate their impact to funders and stakeholders.
Blog
AI and impact: the new frontier for funders
By Kaan Yilmazturk .
On 28 May 2026.
AI is transforming philanthropy and service delivery, urging funders to responsibly support AI-enabled impact across the sector.
Blog
Does your grantee have a unique selling point?
By Kaan Yilmazturk .
On 8 May 2026.
Funders should invest more in sustaining the local relationships and civic networks.
Event
Funder drop-in: Funding capacity building
On 20 May 2026, 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.
Event
Funder drop-in: Funders in the impact economy
On 16 April 2026, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Zoom
Funder and philanthropist drop-ins are for staff and trustees at grant-making organisations, and individual philanthropists.
Resources
Unlocking support
By James Somerville, Famin Ahmed, and Jessica Weir .
On 16 February 2026.
We identify why young people struggle to access mental health support, and how funders and services can improve pathways.
