We are delighted to join a community of funders committed to open and trusting grant-making, and being a flexible funder for the organisations we support.
Alongside over 40 funders, we are proud to have signed a pledge to open and trusting grant-making, a campaign coordinated by the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR).
We are part of a community of funders and charities working to improve practice together. Our ambition is to see these commitments extend beyond the COVID-19 crisis to become standard practice in the sector. As part of this, we have made the 8 commitments below.
Learn more about the open and trusting grant-making campaign and join the conversation on Twitter: #FlexibleFunders.
8 commitments to open and trusting grant-making
- Don’t waste time
We will be open, transparent and clear about all of our priorities, requirements and exclusions.
- Ask relevant questions
We will test our application forms to ensure clarity, relevance and avoid repetition, only collecting information that genuinely informs a funding decision.
- Accept risk
We will clearly explain how risk is assessed and be realistic about how much assurance applicants can provide.
- Act with urgency
We will aim to make decisions as quickly as possible by publishing and sticking to timeframes to ensure we work at a pace that meets the needs of applicants.
- Be open
We will provide feedback, including reasons for rejections. We will analyse and share relevant data, including publishing success rates.
- Enable flexibility
We will aim to give unrestricted funding; where we can’t, we will ensure our funding is as flexible as possible.
- Communicate with purpose
Our contact is positive and purposeful. We will be realistic about their time commitments.
- Be proportionate
We will ensure that their formal reporting requirements are well understood, proportionate and meaningful.
