London Funders

What does it mean to fund and work in ways that truly support systemic change? How do you translate big ambitions of change into tangible action? And what conditions are enabling, rather than hindering real changes to the systems we work in? We’re seeing more funders being explicit in supporting organisations and community groups to tackle the root causes of issues they work on, not just the symptoms. But while ‘systems change’ is high on the radar for many funders, it can be hard to know where to start or how to keep going when you get stuck.   At London Funders, as part of our learning programme, we’ve spent the last six months exploring what it takes to fund and support systems change. We have hosted learning events; interviewed funders, charities and change makers; and brought together insights from across our membership on what it takes to fund systems change, and to shift our own behaviour and practice to create change in the wider funding system. Today, we’re pleased to share our latest briefing - ‘what does it take to fund systems change?’ - which brings together the wealth of insights, research and evidence we’ve gathered over the past six months. You can read the full briefing, and revisit much of our learning programme here - https://lnkd.in/g3K2eVQv And check out some learning teasers below 👇

And that's a wrap! An extremely big thank you to everyone who took part in our most recent learning programme, exploring what it takes to fund and support systems change 🙌 If you haven't already, check out our learning summary which brings together the wealth of insights, research and evidence we’ve gathered over the past six months. Recognising that systems change is dynamic, contextual and complex, the briefing attempts to understand the principles, approaches and processes needed to fund systems change effectively. 💭 https://lnkd.in/g3K2eVQv Watch this space as we'll be launching our next learning focus very soon..

A reminder that our next insight meeting is taking place on Wednesday! Members can find out more and sign up below 👇

As we reflect on what we've learnt over the past six months exploring what it takes to fund and support systems change, we're looking back at some of our interviews with funders, charities and changemakers who have been at the forefront of systems change. We spoke to Naomi Diamond and H. Leigh Brown from Collaborate CIC about their experience of being a learning partner for the Cornerstone Fund, and the learning that's emerged. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/evtsb7Be We heard from Jonathas Azevedo, Comuá Network about the lessons he has learnt from working as a network of funders trying to create change in Brazil. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ekeVg9Tv Letícia Ishibashi, Paul Hamlyn Foundation sat down with us to share the process behind developing the Foundation's new vision for their Migration Fund, and how this consequently changed their funding processes too. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gkEjF__J You can find all our blogs from our most recent learning programme on our website ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eD6Zs3DP

A reminder that our Housing and Homelessness network meeting is taking place this Thursday. London Funders members can sign up via the link below ⬇️

Last year, we embarked on a new piece of work with funders and equity partners to map the current state of funding for equity and justice infrastructure. Over the past 6 months, we have reviewed existing literature, analysed existing datasets, and talked to a range of stakeholders. The review has highlighted gaps that we will be attempting to address through ongoing research, as well as affirmed the positive impacts of infrastructure organisations on the wider sector. This review is a first step towards creating a stronger evidence base about the infrastructure needs of the equity and justice sector, and how this is resourced. As we progress with the next phase, we will be further exploring the gaps, challenges and what works in the current funding landscape, and explore innovative ways to fund the ecosystem into the future. Read the literature review here in full ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ekyFJvcp

We've recently announced the dates for our next round of borough based forums, where funders can connect with other funders investing in London's boroughs, discuss the latest issues affecting communities, share learning and explore new ways to work together. Our forums are one of the ways we bring funders together to build a better London by taking action on what matters to our city and our communities, ensuring funding in London is joined-up, effective and equitable. If you currently fund in one of the boroughs with an active forum, please join us: you'll be able to connect with other funders investing in the borough, hear about the latest issues affecting local communities, share learning and explore new ways to work together. You can find all our upcoming forums listed here - https://lnkd.in/g4QQUc9e Read more about how we connect our members through networks and forums, and how to get in touch if you're interested in setting up a forum in your borough - https://lnkd.in/e-NKf6tb

"Artificial intelligence is no longer a topic of the future or an operational matter for tomorrow - it is the defining strategic question of our time" - CEO David Knott, The National Lottery Community Fund We are pleased to be a part of this new #AI task force along with 20 other leaders with the aim of championing more responsible, inclusive and collaborative uses of AI. The new taskforce will have four key missions: ✅ act as a collective voice for AI in the charity sector ✅ focus on influencing responsible, ethical and inclusive use of the technology within and outside of the sector ✅ encouraging collaboration between key groups such as funders, regulators, large and small charities, and businesses ✅ aligning efforts to ensure quicker support for the sector. CAST Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology | Access Social Care | London Funders | King's College London | Trust for London | Shelter | Charity Digital | TLC: Talk, Listen, Change | Big Give Read more about the taskforce Civil Society Media Ltd https://lnkd.in/exBP9p_k https://lnkd.in/eNsWvmEh

We're pleased to announce that our next member-exclusive insight meeting will be taking place online on Wednesday 26, 10-11am. At the end of 2024, the government published their English Devolution White Paper – setting out their plans to reset “the relationship with local and regional government, empowering local leaders and Mayors to make the right decisions for their communities”. Key plans in the White Paper include extending devolution to all parts of England, giving mayors and local authorities more power and funding flexibility as well as other public service reforms. The independent think tank, Institute for Government said the proposals “represents a substantial transfers of powers” and “will kick off a radical reorganisation of local government”. Alongside this, we’ve seen recent plans for Local Authority Funding Reform, with a new set of ‘principles’ to guide future funding arrangements. Changes and new structures will have implications not just for public funders, but to everyone investing in a local place. So as thinking about the reforms takes shape, it’s also time to rethink where power sits to make change and funding decisions in a more devolved system. How can funders – both public agencies and independent foundations – capitalise on the government’s plans to devolve power and make local authority funding more flexible? What are the opportunities for more community control over funding decisions, so that all can benefit from this agenda?  At our February insight meeting, we’ll be joined by expert speakers to discuss the government’s plans for devolution and public service reform, and what funders from across the sectors might want to be thinking about as this new agenda takes shape. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/en6e8kka

Are you interested in or actively funding work related to housing and homelessness? Join us at our Housing and Homelessness network meeting next Thursday, chaired by London Funders members Peter Smith, Homeless Link and Amy Doyle, Commonweal Housing where we'll be exploring the emerging opportunities and challenges within the sector. Head to the link below to find more information and to sign up. 📆 2-4pm, Thursday 20 February 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eNycfZpe Open exclusively to our London Funders members, our member-led networks allow members to convene with purpose and embrace opportunities to grow together. Find out more about how we connect our members here: https://lnkd.in/ekRMywz5