As someone who has only been on the receiving end of this relationship, I was excited to see how the other side works.
Why I joined the 2027 Programme and London Funders
When I started the 2027 Programme, I was unfamiliar with the funding sector and uncertain of whether I would be able to make a positive change. I was informed the Programme would give me and others the skills to navigate the grantmaking sector. As someone who has only been on the receiving end of this relationship, I was excited to see how the other side works.
I became interested in grantmaking when I started volunteering for a small community charity that was unable to access funding - this was something I was tasked with and I was unable to help, which left me feeling deflated and disappointed. Since then, I have been increasingly interested in how philanthropy operates, and why some people can access support easily whilst others cannot.
When I was asked to have an interview with London Funders, I was nervous and was concerned I might not fit into their team as I didn’t know anything about either collaborating or funding – the two aspects of my job title! Since joining, I can now see that my job is a lot more interesting and fluid than I initially thought – this will allow me to grow in lots of different directions and I’m enjoying meeting lots of different people. Already I have taken part in some thought-provoking sessions where some important discussions have happened, and within these I have been able to exercise my knowledge. Members have wanted to listen to my experiences, and I feel valued and listened to.
I chose the 2027 Programme because I have found it incredibly hard as a Black working-class female to navigate and access funding. When I saw what 2027 was trying to do – penetrating the sector and influencing change by encouraging diversity, inclusion and equity (amongst other things), I knew automatically that I wanted to be a part of that. Funding is crucial for civil society, and I think that having worked within the sector and seeing how not receiving sustainable funding can negatively affect communities, I want to contribute and facilitate change.
Barriers
There are so many ways of saying the ‘third sector’
Thinking now to some of the barriers I have faced since starting my work with London Funders, the jargon and acronyms can sometimes make me feel alienated. I find when I am in certain meetings I am writing down things and then searching them later so that I can understand some of the sector-specific wording. Whilst I am sure that these words are important for funders, sometimes I feel like they are quite unnecessary and complicated for no reason. For example, there are so many ways of saying the ‘third sector’. Another barrier I have faced is going to meetings and being the only ethnic minority in them, or sometimes it is me and maybe one other person. It can make me feel like I am not meant to be there, and I do get imposter syndrome sometimes.
What next?
Whilst working for London Funders I would like to improve my communication skills and build rapport with the various members we have. I would also like to learn more about the role of funders and how encouraging collaboration between funders can facilitate change within the sector. I have seen the effects of swift collaboration through the London Community Response, and I believe keeping up that momentum will improve not just the lives of the communities London Funders’ members serve, but will change the sector as a whole. Over the next 12 months I want to be part of this change and conversations on what next, and to be able to give a different perspective and to help Londoners in some way, no matter how small.
