Mapping the Missing Infrastructure for Equity and Justice

Equity and Justice Infrastructure Organisations (EJIOs) are the scaffolding behind movements for equality. They build capacity, share knowledge, connect networks and advocate for systemic change on behalf of equity-focused grassroots groups. 

When supported well, they help movements move faster in times of crisis and sustain progress in between. Research from the United States shows that investment in this kind of infrastructure boosts impact across health, education, civil rights and economic equity. In the UK, however, there has been little systematic mapping or funding analysis until now. 

What we did 

In 2024, against a backdrop of widening inequality, funders and infrastructure organisations came together to understand how we can strengthen specialist infrastructure for equalities organisations. 

Our team looked at 220 EJIOs across the UK, analysing their funding data and the impact of their work. We spoke to 42 funders, EJIOs, equalities organisations and local authorities, and gathered over 100 survey responses from infrastructure and frontline organisations. 

What we found 

Growth on paper, decline in reality 

Funding for EJIOs in in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland rose from £356 million in 2020 to £398 million in 2024, a 12 per cent increase in cash terms. Once adjusted for inflation, this represents a nine per cent decline in real terms over the same period.  

Why EJIOs matter 

EJIOs strengthen the wider voluntary sector by improving organisational capacity, creating collaboration and building trust between funders and grassroots groups. 

Frontline organisations told us that EJIOs “understand the unique needs of our organisations… we don’t have to explain our problems – they already know what our communities face.” 

Survey respondents said EJIO support improved their governance, strategic planning, income generation and influence in policy spaces. Their proximity to communities makes them a crucial bridge between local realities and funder priorities. 

Gaps and opportunities 

EJIOs remain underfunded compared with their potential. Many funders recognise their value but few have strategies to support them. Common barriers funders shared were a lack of awareness and few peers investing in this space to help share risk. 

Research by the Women’s Resource Centre found a social return of between £2.30 and £9.20 for every £1 invested in equity-focused infrastructure. Our own findings align with this: investing in EJIOs strengthens the equalities sector and directly benefits the most marginalised communities. 

What funders can do 

This research is a call to action. Funders of every size and type have an opportunity to come together—sharing ideas, resources, and strategies—to turn these recommendations into reality. At London Funders, we’re committed to leading this conversation: connecting our network, spotlighting opportunities, and fostering collaboration to build a stronger, fairer system for all. 

Why this matters now 

The threats to equity and justice are growing, but so are the opportunities to advance them. Without well-resourced infrastructure, grassroots organisations risk isolation, burnout and missed opportunities for systemic change. 

Our research builds on pre-existing some evidence - that well-supported networks can respond faster in crises, leverage greater funding, and enable marginalised communities to claim more resources than isolated groups could alone. This suggests that civil society sector can’t afford to overlook equity-focused infrastructure. 

Investing in EJIOs is crucial to build a blueprint for sustaining movements that defend democracy, advance rights, and tackle structural inequities worldwide. These organisations are the networks that sustain movements, defend rights and build fairer systems for the long term. 

You can discover more about this research and access our resources and reporting here