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Building equity through infrastructure: reflections from my time at London Funders

Equity Learning

By Patience Otoo

This summer, I had the opportunity to join London Funders through the 10,000 Black Interns programme. Over six weeks, I was able to work closely with the team, contribute to projects at the heart of London’s funding landscape, and learn more about the role funders play in strengthening communities across the city. 

My time at London Funders has been filled with a balance of research, team meetings, and sector-wide events, and I leave with both practical experience and deeper insight into how equity and collaboration can drive meaningful change. 

What drew you to working with London Funders? 

When I applied to London Funders, I knew I wanted to learn more about how charitable funding works in practice and how funders collaborate across different issues. I was interested in the organisation’s role as a convener, and in the chance to work with a team that brings together members from local authorities, trusts, foundations, businesses, and government. 

What have you learned during your time here?   

One of the most valuable parts of this internship has been the chance to gain a fuller understanding of the charity and funding sector. Before joining, I had only a limited idea of how decisions about funding are made, how collaborative work is structured, and how infrastructure organisations fit into the wider ecosystem of civil society organisations and the funders who support them. 

Through my work on the Equity & Justice mapping project, I learned about how specialist infrastructure organisations act as connectors, advocates, and capacity-builders for grassroots groups. Research shows that investment in EJIOs generates significant social and economic value, yet the organisations themselves are often underfunded and reliant on short-term grants.  

Seeing this contradiction first-hand helped me to think critically about the importance of funding systems that are fair, long-term, and reflective of real community needs

These experiences gave me a much broader picture of the charity sector and the practicalities of making funding decisions. I leave with a clearer sense of how funders can enable not just short-term solutions, but also long-term structural change. 

How has working here shaped your aspirations? 

My time at London Funders has reinforced and deepened my passion for supporting marginalised communities. As a Black aspiring clinical psychologist, I am particularly aware of the lack of representation within psychology and mental health services. The current make-up of the field does not reflect the proportion of Black people who experience mental health difficulties, nor the diversity of lived experiences across the UK. 

Working on projects that highlight the importance of equity and justice has shown me the impact of systems that either amplify or silence marginalised voices. This has strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career as a clinical neuropsychologist, where I hope to contribute to addressing inequalities in access to care and representation within the profession. The lessons I have taken from London Funders, about the importance of infrastructure, equity, and amplifying lived experience, will continue to inform how I approach my future career in psychology. 

What was a highlight during your time here? 

A particular highlight was authoring an article for the Stanford Social Innovation Review, about the Equity & Justice Infrastructure project. The opportunity to help translate research into a piece that will reach an international audience was incredibly exciting. 

For me, the importance of this work lies not only in generating evidence about the value of EJIOs, but also in disseminating that knowledge so that it can shape funding practice. Having the opportunity to play a role in that process, bringing London-based research to a global readership, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my internship. 

What will be your biggest takeaway from London Funders?   

My biggest takeaway from this internship is that collaboration is only effective when it is grounded in equity. Funding organisations need to think not just about what is funded, but how and why decisions are made. Strengthening equity and justice infrastructure means creating the conditions for grassroots groups and marginalised communities to thrive so that change is not just immediate, but lasting. 

I have also learned that infrastructure may not always be visible, but it is essential. From building capacity in frontline organisations to amplifying advocacy, EJIOs play a vital role in sustaining the voluntary sector. I will carry with me the understanding that lasting impact requires not just short-term interventions, but investment in the systems that hold everything together. 

What comes next? 

As my internship comes to an end, I am looking forward to returning to university to complete my final year of studying Psychology with Cognitive Neuroscience. Beyond that, I will continue to pursue my aspiration to become a clinical neuropsychologist, with a focus on supporting marginalised communities and contributing to greater representation within the field. 

London Funders has given me an invaluable opportunity to see how equity and justice can be woven into the fabric of funding systems. The experience has reinforced my commitment to championing fairness and representation in my future career, and I am deeply grateful for the time I have spent here. 

 

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