The Funding Network

WHY SMALL CHARITIES MATTER

Small charities make up 96% of the UK voluntary sector yet receive only a small share of its funding.¹

They are deeply rooted in their communities, often led by people with direct experience of the issues they’re working on.

That means they can reach people and places that larger organisations sometimes can’t.

They are often working where needs are complex and interconnected - poverty, housing, health, special educational needs – where support has to be shaped around people’s lives and circumstances.

For example, a single parent living in poverty with a neurodiverse child may find more joined-up, understanding support from a small local organisation - particularly one led by people who have faced similar challenges and who can sign post them to other sources of local help- than from a larger, more distant service.

This work is vital – but often under-resourced.

They are deeply rooted in their communities, often led by people with direct experience of the issues they’re working on.

That means they can reach people and places that larger organisations sometimes can’t.

They are often working where needs are complex and interconnected - poverty, housing, health, special educational needs – where support has to be shaped around people’s lives and circumstances.

This work is vital – but often under-resourced.

Small charities usually have limited time and capacity to fundraise or raise awareness, even as demand continues to grow.

Since the pandemic, they have lost around £4.6 billion in income, while larger organisations have grown by a similar amount.²

This is the gap TFN exists to address.

At each TFN event, three small charities share their work directly with an engaged audience – showing how relatively modest funding, combined with trust and connection, can make a real difference.

In many cases, charities leave not only with funding, but with new long-term supporters, partnerships and opportunities that continue well beyond the event.

Small charities usually have limited time and capacity to fundraise or raise awareness, even as demand continues to grow.

Since the pandemic, they have lost around £4.6 billion in income, while larger organisations have grown by a similar amount.²

This is the gap TFN exists to address.

At each TFN event, three small charities share their work directly with an engaged audience – showing how relatively modest funding, combined with trust and connection, can make a real difference.

In many cases, charities leave not only with funding, but with new long-term supporters, partnerships and opportunities that continue well beyond the event.

ALL EVENTS

Come to a TFN event and experience collective giving for yourself

THE SUPPORT WE OFFER

Each year, TFN works closely with a group of small charities, supporting them not just with funding, but with access, confidence and connection.

Charities that pitch at TFN events are nominated and selected by our members. This means each organisation is put forward by someone who knows their work and can speak to its value - helping ensure strong engagement and support on the night.

We do not currently run an open application process. As our membership grows, so too will the number of charities we can support.

Each year, TFN works closely with a group of small charities, supporting them not just with funding, but with access, confidence and connection.

We do not currently run an open application process. As our membership grows, so too will the number of charities we can support.

TFN CEO Eugenie Harvey with Alex Hanratty, CEO and Co-founder of ReconnectEd.

Selection and preparation

We work alongside charities ahead of the event, supporting them to shape their pitch, clarify their ask, and build confidence in how they communicate their work.

Many small charity leaders have little time for fundraising or communications, but with the right support, they become compelling advocates.

We work alongside charities ahead of the event, supporting them to shape their pitch, clarify their ask, and build confidence in how they communicate their work.

Many small charity leaders have little time for fundraising or communications, but with the right support, they become compelling advocates.

Building an audience

We bring together our members and support charities to invite their own networks, helping them build on existing relationships and reach a wider audience.

Peer support

Charities pitching at the same event form a small group, sharing experiences, encouraging one another, and often staying in touch afterwards.

After the event

We support charities to follow up with the people they meet, helping turn initial interest into longer-term support.

The result is more than funding.

Charities leave with greater confidence, clearer messaging and stronger networks - things that continue to support their work long after the event.

For many, it marks a shift from working in isolation to feeling part of a wider community.

We support charities to follow up with the people they meet, helping turn initial interest into longer-term support.

The result is more than funding.

Charities leave with greater confidence, clearer messaging and stronger networks - things that continue to support their work long after the event.

For many, it marks a shift from working in isolation to feeling part of a wider community.

OUR IMPACT

MEET OUR CHARITY ALUMNI

Discover the powerful work of small charities transforming lives in the UK and around the world, through the pitches they’ve shared at our Connector events over the past two years.

Watch their pitches, see how TFN funding has supported their work, and follow what’s happened next.

Discover the powerful work of small charities transforming lives in the UK and around the world, through the pitches they’ve shared at our Connector events over the past two years.

Watch their pitches, see how TFN funding has supported their work, and follow what’s happened next.

If you’d like to support their work, you can donate through TFN - helping both the organisation you choose and TFN itself, through a small levy that enables us to support more charities in the future.

A wider archive of pitches is available on our YouTube channel. Our data is also published on 360Giving from April 2017 to March 2025 – browse and search it here.