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We’ve been in touch with about 30 grant-making Trusts in the past couple of weeks and I thought I’d share my observations. Love to hear yours! e.g.
@LarkOwlUK; @jodiemarsden; @OlofWilliamson; @EmilyVClarke; @johnfie58629205; @robin_peake; @thomasdixon
Thread...
@LarkOwlUK; @jodiemarsden; @OlofWilliamson; @EmilyVClarke; @johnfie58629205; @robin_peake; @thomasdixon
Thread...
1)It’s been great to hear how many Trusts are looking at how they can help. They are holding emergency trustee meetings or meeting more often. They are also joining the Zoom video call revolution.
2)Trusts are streamlining, making their application process quicker and making
2)Trusts are streamlining, making their application process quicker and making
decisions faster. It was wonderful to see more than 250 funders sign up to the London Funders pledge.
3)Many are naturally prioritising organisations on the frontline of the crisis e.g. food banks, healthcare, homeless etc. This may mean some causes may have to wait to be
3)Many are naturally prioritising organisations on the frontline of the crisis e.g. food banks, healthcare, homeless etc. This may mean some causes may have to wait to be
considered.
4)Other Trusts have made the decision to focus on their core charities and to close themselves to new applicants for a time.
5)Several national funders are planning emergency or exceptional funding with news to follow e.g. the National Lottery is announcing their
4)Other Trusts have made the decision to focus on their core charities and to close themselves to new applicants for a time.
5)Several national funders are planning emergency or exceptional funding with news to follow e.g. the National Lottery is announcing their
plans next week.
6) On the flip side, some Trusts are not planning an exceptional response to the crisis. I got an out of office message from a Trust saying their office was closed and they weren’t having a Trustee meeting until November. Others have cited their investment income
6) On the flip side, some Trusts are not planning an exceptional response to the crisis. I got an out of office message from a Trust saying their office was closed and they weren’t having a Trustee meeting until November. Others have cited their investment income
being down.
7)Several of the Trust Administration companies don’t seem to be altering their process e.g. still asking for postal applications and not sure when their Trustees will next meet.
7)Several of the Trust Administration companies don’t seem to be altering their process e.g. still asking for postal applications and not sure when their Trustees will next meet.
Two other thoughts. It’s important to focus on our beneficiaries rather than our organisation when we’re talking to our trust supporters. Almost all charities' income is hit so an ask leading on how much we’re affected is not going to be as powerful as talking about what we need
to help our beneficiaries. Also, this is the time to be picking up the phone and talking to our supporters. This is a unique time in terms of people all being affected by a single issue. People want to understand the impact and feel like they are helping. You can help them!
