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Friday 6th November 2020 11.30pm – 1.30pm – Online Discussion
COVID-19 has been changing the funding world like nothing before. The comprehensive and continuing uncertainty of this emergency makes it unprecedented. Funders are starting to look to their future and starting to ask what this all means for their plans and strategies and how they do business longer term. How will funders consider the balance between trust, accountability and risk in their longer term approach? A mix of funders operating in the WM, infrastructure VCS organisations and public sector bodies attended.
Eliza Buckley, Head of Research and Development, IVAR shared the initial findings from a funders’ survey on changes to grant making practice due to their response to the pandemic and the outcomes from a series of briefings with charities on the impact of the pandemic on their work. The presentation can be found here
Tina Costello, Chief Executive, Heart of England Community Foundation shared the learning from a review of the Foundation’s grant giving during the pandemic (April – September 2020) and an analysis of their funding. The presentation can be found here. A copy of the Foundation’s 2020 Annual Report can be found here
A note of the breakout room discussions that considered the following:
What should an applicant and grantee expect as the basis of their relationship with a funder?
What key practical changes can funders make to improve trust, risk and accountability?
