‘Community ‘ Open Members Meeting Summary

In the first quarterly Open Members’ Meeting of 2024, we heard from Ian Gibson, The Essentia Foundation, Mary Porter, KPE4, and Elaine Wilson, Corra Foundation who each spoke about their organisations’ work in the session’s theme ‘community’. 

Key takeaways from our members was the importance of collaboration between, not only multiple funders, but also with those receiving the funding. As grant makers to vulnerable groups, all three trusts described their experiences of learning from their grant recipients and adapting their funding models to match the need described.  

Hearing from Mary Porter from KPE4, whose unique funding model focuses grant giving to a small group of charities, 90% of which are regularly supported with a close relationship that helps KPE4 better understand the needs in North Edinburgh. The result of continuous relationships with recipients allowed KPE4 to identify a funding gap and has inspired a new and upcoming holiday fund for students finishing their sixth year, particularly made for those who may not have the means to travel. 

Following the method to build relationships with grant recipients to identify need, Ian Gibson introduced The Essentia Foundation, who earlier this year released an appeal in the SGM Monthly Newsletter for collaboration with other funders as the charity undergoes a strategic review.  

This assessment at The Essentia Foundation has resulted in a thorough review of the grant maker’s application process and relationships with past recipients, finding around 40% of applicants are repeats. This is a familiar discovery for many grantmakers, and as The Essentia Foundation Trustees are discussing, shows a clear need for funding in the communities they serve. Presently, the funder is learning how to best suit that need, and the possibility of collaboration with other interested charities who also address the health and social welfare of young people under 25 years of age in Scotland. 

Our closing speaker was Elaine Wilson, Corra Foundation, who perfectly encompassed the themes presented by Mary and Ian. Corra’s community-based funding work offers long-term place-based programmes. Their support aims to inspire leadership in underserved Scottish communities. 

In partnership with other UK charities, Corra conducted research into the human rights-based funding in Scotland and what impact a rights-based approach has on vulnerable groups in Scotland. The group, Independent Human Rights Fund for Scotland, created the Founding Funders Agreement which is set out to create a £10,000,000 fund over 10 years through collaborative funding.  

You can read more about the meeting in the minutes or view the session resources, available to members in the Members’ Area.  

Thank you to all those who were able to attend.  

Our next Members’ Meeting is 11 June 2024, hosting the theme ‘Culture’. A full list of speakers will be announced on our Events page soon. 

If you would like to enquire about becoming a collaborative funder with The Essentia Foundation or Corra Foundation, please contact us at scottishgrantmakers@wssociety.co.uk and we would be happy to pass along your message.