When funders are using the knowledge gained from sharing experiences and intelligence with others, there is recognition that sharing can be beneficial to others’ practices and decisions. We believe that this can lead to a greater willingness of organisations to share, and in turn create a deeper pool of knowledge for others to draw on. This forms part of a virtuous ‘learning cycle’ that increases funders’ access to knowledge and intelligence about the issues they seek to address.

Our thematic networks are the main way in which London Funders members share their knowledge and experience with other members, though many also publish reports evaluating their work, which we help to disseminate through our website and e-bulletin.

Expertise and knowhow can be shared across sectors. Within our Research and Evaluation Network, for example, the Sport for Development Coalition shared their approach to showing the indirect effects of sport on wider society, for example through benefits to public health. Another member, Youth Music, then adopted this outcomes framework to apply to the impact of music to wider society.