This summer, I have had the pleasure of interning with London Funders as part of their collaboration with the 10,000 Black Interns Foundation. My six-week internship was filled with lots of learning and gaining insights into parts of London’s voluntary sector.
My time, like Lucy’s - an intern under the 10,000 Able Interns Foundation - has been filled with presentations, insight meetings and support on strategic projects. To learn a bit more about my short tenure at London Funders read my final reflections below!
What drew you to working with London Funders?
Working at London Funders intrigued me because of their commitment to fostering collaboration and driving positive change across London's communities. As a student of international development, I resonated with the organisation’s focus on strategic funding to address pressing social issues and wanted to work alongside industry experts whose work positively drives social impact and community development. And so, I happily jumped at the opportunity to engage with a diverse network of funders and stakeholders, and at the chance to make a tangible difference in the city I love.
What have you learned during your time here?
During my time at London Funders, I have learned about the intricacies of effective grant-making and the importance of strategic partnerships in driving social change. I have gained valuable insights into the diverse needs of London's communities and learned about some of the many different innovative approaches used to address them. This opportunity has allowed me to gain hands–on experience and put into practice some of the theoretical knowledge gained from my master’s degree. All in all, I believe this experience has deepened my understanding of the nonprofit sector and reinforced my commitment to championing equitable and sustainable community development.
How has working here shaped your aspirations and interest in working in the charity sector?
Working at London Funders has significantly shaped my aspirations and deepened my interest in the charity sector. This experience has shown me the positive impact that catalysing and inspiring avenues for collaboration can have on further pivoting for disenfranchised and/or minoritised voices. The organisation's approach to tackling social issues has fueled my ambition to continue working in roles that empower communities and drive systemic change. Witnessing firsthand the positive changes brought about by well-targeted initiatives has inspired me to consider pursuing a career championing participatory and/or localised social justice and equity.
What was a highlight during your time here?
A highlight of my time at London Funders was getting to shadow Nasyah Bandoh, Membership Manager in a series of collaborative network meetings, specifically a network meeting that brought together multiple players funding housing and homelessness in London. Seeing the immediate positive impact of the different organisations combined efforts to provide services to vulnerable people was incredibly humbling and it is an experience that I am truly grateful to have witnessed.
What did you wish you knew before joining?
Before joining London Funders, I wish I had known more about the complexities and nuances of the grant-making process. Understanding the detailed criteria and evaluation methods for funding decisions would have allowed me to contribute more effectively from the outset. Additionally, having a deeper knowledge of the diverse landscape of London's nonprofit sector and the specific challenges faced by different communities would have better prepared me for the collaborative and dynamic nature of the work. I think having these insights would have helped me hit the ground running and maximise my impact early on.
What will be your biggest takeaway from London Funders?
My biggest takeaway from London Funders will be that there is power in numbers and that collective efforts are crucial in addressing complex social issues effectively. I have also gained a deep appreciation for the importance of thoughtful and equitable and/ or participatory grant-making, and how targeted funding can make a significant difference in communities.
What was your favourite project?
My favourite project at London Funders was working on the Resource Hub and Place-Based Giving Schemes. This project involved pulling together a more structured training and learning programme for the giving network and my work specifically became the foundational piece on which a comprehensive resource hub to support local giving schemes tailored to specific communities across London would be built on. The project was fascinating because it required a blend of research, community engagement, and strategic planning.
For this project, I conducted some desk-based research to collate information on existing learning and training opportunities held by various giving schemes. Which involved gathering data from London Funders databases and analysing existing training patterns. The goal was to identify gaps and opportunities where targeted learning and training could make the most impact.
I look forward to seeing the tangible outcomes the resource hub will produce and hope the resource hub will be used as it was intended - to launch and/ or expand the capacity and scope of place-based giving schemes!
What comes next?
As sad as it is for me to be leaving London Funders, I am excited about what lies ahead! I have a trip to Germany planned, and I'll be spending some time in Berlin before watching Adele Live in Munich. Additionally, I am excited to begin my new job with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.
You can read about the 10,000 Interns Foundation here.
