How we work
We use research, reports, and specialist expertise to build and enhance our understanding of specific issues and challenges and enable us to direct funding most effectively. We have built a sizeable and diverse network of individuals and organisations who provide knowledge and expertise including existing grantees, other funders and community stakeholders.
Once we have developed an understanding of the context and identified a potential opportunity, we then develop a funding approach. Alongside the development of a funding proposal, we go through a due diligence process to get to know the organisation and ensure it has the capacity to deliver the work proposed. The purpose is for us to gain a better understanding of the organisation, the context in which it operates, and the main risks and challenges. We respect organisations’ time and we do not ask for information that is already publicly available.
Our staff participate in wider networks enabling them to build relationships across the sector and share learning and best practice. We were one of the first foundations to sign up to the Institute for Voluntary Action’s Open and Trusting Grantmaking scheme and participated in one of the working groups for the Association of Charitable Foundations Stronger Foundations initiative. We are committed to transparency and publish details of our grant-making on 360Giving.