We work with funders and grant makers looking to make a difference on a wide range of social issues – either through strategy development or through providing organisational development support to grant recipients. Our experience of direct working with a wide range of frontline charities gives us valuable insight into financial and skills support needs of grantees, their views and experience of grant making practice eg. application systems and reporting requirements, and keys and barriers to success for working with underserved communities.
Funders we have worked with include:
Grant makers
We have conducted a series of stakeholder consultations and scoping projects on Big Lottery Fund/National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) grant making policy and practice (including length of funding, sustainable development support, and DEI monitoring requirements). As a regular learning partner to a number of NLCF funded charities, we have a 360 view of the grant making experience. We have also supported grant makers to think about how they might better reach charities and community groups who have not previously accessed funding – and our work with Wellcome involved in-depth interviews with scientists, public engagement experts, health professionals, as well as leaders of voluntary organisations, to explore the potential for a tool(s) to help organisations with the application process.
Philanthropists looking to give time, network, skills, and voice in addition to money
Through Social Venture Partners and Pilotlight, we have provided training for people with a business sector background on impact strategy development for organisations with a social purpose goal.
Foundations offering support ‘beyond the money’ to help grantees build capacity, leadership and resilience
As development partners working with Lloyds Bank Foundation and City Bridge Foundation, we have provided organisational development support to more than forty local charities working across a range of issues.
Cornish and Grey’s approach to impact evaluation is thoughtful, incisive and thought provoking. The charity sector would be in a much better place if it listens more openly to the ideas and concepts they present.”
Edward Creasy, Chair, Social Venture Partners London