What are some of the key categories/areas you fund?
We launched our new strategy, In a Good Place, in May which defines our ambitions and lays out how we are going to get there. We want everyone in England and Wales to be in a good place personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong. From grant funding to capacity building and partnerships, these are the areas we’re investing in.
This summer we launched the Good Place to Live: New Beginnings Fund, where we’re investing £8 million in homelessness prevention. Through this fund we will support community-led organisations that work with people most at risk of homelessness. It’s an exciting project and we’re eager to see the difference it will make in communities.
What’s something exciting/innovative that you’re currently working on?
We’re incredibly proud of the Foundation’s support for the Racial Justice Fund. To date, seven grants have been awarded through the partnership fund, with more still to come. While the Foundation has a long history of supporting minoritised communities, we have found it particularly powerful to see funders in London come together around a shared commitment to racial justice.
We’re also really proud that it has enabled us to reach and support organisations that we might not otherwise, helping to broaden the communities and groups we work alongside.
What’s one piece of learning/insight that you’d like to share with other London Funders’ members?
One learning we’d like to share is the importance of understanding that people's lives are not one dimensional and they are shaped by a combination of circumstances. We have recently worked with OSCI to develop the Good Place Index, a tool which helps us understand not just who is furthest from a good place, but how many people, where they are as well as the multitude of factors that may be affecting them. The Good Place Index gives us a robust evidence base for where we put our investment and helps ensure resources are targeted where they can make the greatest difference.
It’s still in development but our ambition is to make these insights accessible to anyone working in local communities across England and Wales, so that the data can be a shared tool for driving more impact. We’d love to share more soon!
What do you value most about being a part of London Funders?
We really appreciate having a trusted space to tackle challenges and learn from others who care deeply about London's future. We’re really grateful to be part of a network that encourages collaboration rather than competition.
Looking ahead, share one thing that is on your radar. What should we prioritise as a network of funders?
One thing on our radar is the importance of letting local communities lead the way. The people closest to the challenges are often closest to the solutions. As a network of funders, we should prioritise creating the conditions for communities to lead, through flexible funding, genuine partnership and a willingness to let local expertise shape decisions and outcomes.
What’s an issue or area you’d like to discuss with other members?
We’d love to hear from other funders who have great examples of building partnerships across the sector and beyond. We’re particularly interested in developing robust systems and processes around partnerships to ensure we’re putting our energy in all the right places.
Connect with us about:
- Community-led change
- Organisational and capacity building support for community organisations
- Skills based volunteering
- Place-based work
The Member Spotlight is taken from our monthly member-exclusive newsletter, the Member Memo. The newsletter contains targeted information about upcoming events and updates from across the membership, with opportunities to connect and collaborate with other members. If you are a London Funders' member and would like to sign up, please email [email protected].