How we make decisions

What we look for

• Their work contributes to our long-term outcomes and plans
• Their work complements other work we fund

How we do this

• Expression of Interest (EOI): We’ll consider how strong the work fits the long-term outcomes in our funding priorities
• Assessment call: We’ll learn more about the organisation and its plans to understand potential opportunities for our strategy, and complement other work we fund
• Proposal: We’ll do a more detailed review of the plans and review the outcomes and indicators they have identified for the work

What we look for:

• Their work is ambitious and/or doing something new to create systemic change
• There is potential for wider influence or spread
• Their work centres lived experience, justice and equity
• They take a collaborative approach
• Our support could make a significant difference

How we do this:

• EOI: We’ll consider the potential impact of the plans they have outlined
• Assessment: We’ll explore the impact and reach of the work in more detail, including how they plan to achieve their goals and the evidence or experience they have to support their approach. We want to get a good understanding of their approach to learning, collaborating and engaging with others, and how the work is shaped by people with lived experience of the issues and/or local community. We’ll discuss the broader context, their connections to relevant networks or grassroots groups, and how our support could make a significant difference.
• Proposal: We’ll do a detailed review of their impact and evaluation reports, as well as any relevant policies and the broader context.

What we look for:

• The organisation is led and governed accountably and well
• The organisation has the relevant skills and experience

How we do this:

• EOI: We’ll check the organisation meets our minimum eligibility criteria. We will also look at the organisation's website and impact/annual report to learn more about the organisation and its impact so far.
• Assessment call: We want to understand how the organisation is led and governed, including how decisions are made such as the salaries of employees, and whether there are any potential conflicts of interest and what they have in place to mitigate these. If the organisation is not a registered charity, we will assess any measures in place to guard against disproportionate 'personal benefit'. We also want to learn more about the organisation’s impact so far and how the skills, expertise and experience of the leadership make the organisation well placed to do the work.
• Proposal: More detailed review of the governance including their leadership approach and any relevant networks, collaborations, and delegated funding structures, if appropriate. We’ll also do a more detailed review of the skills and experience of the leadership, and what their approach would be to any potential risks.

What we look for:

• There are no major financial concerns or issues that would prevent the delivery of the work

How we do this:

• Assessment call: We want to understand how the organisation is funded.
• Proposal: We’ll carry out a detailed review of the organisation’s finances to understand whether it has a realistic and sustainable funding model, and whether it has mitigations in place for any financial risks. Some of the things we’ll look at include:
  • Business plan and budget
  • Management accounts
  • Annual report
  • Organisational budget
  • Cashflow forecast
  • Reserves position

What we look for:

• They have a thoughtful approach to diversity, equity and inclusion

How we do this:

• EOI: We’ll check the organisation has submitted their organisation’s DEI data.
• Assessment call: We want to understand what their approach is to diversity, equity and inclusion; and what this looks like for their organisation and how they work.
• Proposal: We’ll review what policies and processes they have in place and/or learn more about how DEI is embedded into their practice.

What we look for:

• They have appropriate safeguarding policies and processes in place

How we do this:

• Assessment call: If the organisation works with children and/or vulnerable adults, we want to understand what their approach is to safeguarding.
• Proposal: Review of their safeguarding policy and processes.