Members Roundtable Exchange 12th July
David Cole, Grants Manager, Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust provided a summary of the social needs review commissioned from University of Birmingham/University of Nottingham in 2020. The summary document of the findings and recommendations will be published around August 2022 and available on the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust website. A link to this will also be available on the WMFN website and next news update.
A comprehensive survey was undertaken that covered both service provision and sports facilities in the 4 key wards that make up Sutton Coldfield and also survey of households that received a 20% response rate over 2020-21. The data methodology focused on quality of life indices and factors of wellbeing. A key finding was that social capital based on seeing family or friends on a regular basis had not particularly change from pre-pandemic results. Local community satisfaction focused on frustrations relating to local traffic, parking and the demise of local amenities. The full report highlights a comprehensive range of recommendations, some of which sit within the remit of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust but also many with public sector bodies such as the Sutton Town Council and Birmingham City Council and the local health authority. For the Trust this highlights the need to take a collaborative approach as part of their strategic priorities and contribute to local decision making and planning. In addition, the Trust will incorporate an EDI lens in its own strategic priorities and delivery of funding particularly as the report identifies three groups whose social needs are under-represented in the focus groups held: ethnic minority residents, LGBTQIA+ residents and residents with physical disabilities.
Helen Kendrick, Senior Grants Manager, Heart of England Community Foundation presented the latest impart report: Happier, Healthier Lives covering the period 2017 -20 West Midlands and Warwickshire. A link to the executive summary can be found here.
Over Consulting was commissioned in 2021 to prepare a place based analysis of the West Midlands and Warwickshire communities and evaluate the impact of the Foundation’s grant making from April 2017 - 20. The purpose was to better understand the communities the Foundation serves; use the intelligence to shape and prioritise their work; monitor progress against the Foundation’s mission and strategic aims; support conversations with wider stakeholders. The methodology used was based on the principles of an Asset Based Community Development Approach and the UK Prosperity Index was used to measure how happy and healthy communities are in the region. Key impact findings are that the funding provided by the Foundation reaches a diverse audience in areas of high ethnic diversity, though it is challenging for the Foundation to quantify who benefits due to the nature of their funding. 52% of the Foundation’s grants were awarded to organisations that operate within the 20% most deprived areas. 40% of the grants have gone to Birmingham followed by Coventry. Over the period of 2017-20 the Foundation distributed over £9.6mll funds, awarded 2108 grants. The Social Return on Investments show that for every £1 invested the Foundation generated £4.18 and for every £1 invested in the Foundation 93p goes directly back to the communities they support.
A couple of common points raised in the discussion for both of the above was the matter of multi-year grant to organisations versus one-off grants and how that is considered by different funders based on their purpose, resources and capacity. The lack of funding for infrastructure support led traditionally by CVSs was raised and discussed and the tension between this and some funders providing development support through either additional grants or private sector pro bono consultancy to the VCS.
Stuart Morton, Trustee, South Birmingham Friends Institute Trust raised the issue of improving racial equality in the West Midlands. In particular how can funders that operate in the region play their part.
The launch of the Birmingham Race Impact Group and its first summit in May 2022 has raised a range of issues on race equality in Birmingham. Stuart was keen to learn from others at the meeting on any key developments and opportunities that funders can take collaboratively to improve race equality in the region, The development of a Black Leaders Forum - Stephna Watts Leadership Foundation - supported by Lloyds Bank Foundation was reported by Dipali and the WMFN in conjunction with the National Funders sub-group were engaging in a dialogue on what could be a shared agenda on improving racial equality in funding. Attendees all felt this was an important issue and were themselves on a journey to progress EDI in their work and organisation. All agreed that the Black Lives Matter movement and the lack of progress on racial equality more generally needed to be a priority, but how to shift the power balance and in particular supports black and and minoritised ethnic young people to take the lead. For the WMFN, EDI will remain a running theme throughout its work and on the particular matter of racial equality in funding will look to consider how access to funding that is racially more equitable can be progressed and how funders in the WM can better reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of those with lived experience of disadvantage in the region in funding programme design, delivery and decision making. If members would like to participate in any of the future meetings with the Stephna Watts Leadership Foundation please do email dipali@wmfn.org.uk
Claire Bowry, Chief Executive, Eveson TrustHerefordshire and Worcestershire Funders Fair 17th October 2022
Venue: Lyttelton Well Hall, Malvern
The Eveson Trust is sponsoring a Funders Fair and working in collaboration with Hereford City Council and Worcestershire Community Foundation to put on the event. The Fair is provisionally scheduled to run between 10.00am – 3.30 pm and will feature presentations by funders as well as funder stands. National funders such as the NLCF will be represented as well as more local funders and we’ll promote the event to charities through our networks and websites. Registration by charities to attend will be via Eventbrite.
We’ll be contacting funders later this month and in August to firm up those who are interested but in the meantime, if you would like to register your interest, do contact The Eveson Trust on admin@eveson.org.uk
Emma Birks, Senior Engagement Manager, Midlands and East The Heritage Innovation Fund.
Heritage Innovation Fund. ‘The Heritage Innovation Fund is a pilot initiative for experimenters, collaborators and learners from across all parts of heritage, across the UK. We're looking for people who want to play a leading role in pioneering solutions for making the heritage workforce fit for the future.’ Applications for the Explore Phase (phase one of three) are now open until 27 September. You can find out a bit more here as well: Seeking innovators to pioneer new ways of working | The National Lottery Heritage Fund.