Last Wednesday we had the pleasure of working with Lightyear Foundation, Five Talents UK and Children Heard and Seen again at the Autumn Meeting of our Strategic Funding Group (SFG).

At our SFG events we hear from three organisations that we have funded, about an opportunity to support them with what we call strategic funding. Whereas the first time we met them we might have supported the delivery of a programme or the purchase of equipment, this time we will have the opportunity to support them to make a strategic shift in their work.

We are delighted to share that at last week's meeting over £70,000 was raised for the three organisations in just one hour and a half! Thank you to Elle, Claire, Rachel and Sarah for your inspiring pitches and to TFN members for their thoughtful questions and generosity. We can't wait to share the impact of this incredible work.

Who pitched?

Lightyear Foundation - Lightyear Foundation were first supported back in 2016 at one of our partner events where they sought support in developing a Space themed Sensory Science Workshop. Since then, we've worked with them twice more - in 2019 and 2020 - and we were delighted to have Dr Claire Malone speak at our 20th Anniversary Crowdfunding Event last month.

Five Talents UK - Five Talents UK first pitched with us back in 2011, when they sought funding for their microfinance services in Embu, Kenya. We met again 2021 during the height of the pandemic where Rachel pitched at one of our virtual events to support women's education and empowerment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Children Heard and Seen - We first funded Children Heard and Seen last year when founder Sarah Burrows pitched to raise money for a Specialised Project Worker to offer direct support to families that have a mother in prison.

Want to know more about our Strategic Funding Group?

The Strategic Funding Group meets twice a year. Organisations are often at a pivotal stage in their development and are typically seeking strategic funding to pilot a new intervention, scale up a successful initiative or invest in their organisational sustainability., 

SFG events are open to all TFN members. You can find out more about membership by getting in touch with our Membership Manager, Julia. She'd be very happy to have a chat! Charities that pitch at all TFN events are nominated by members. Further information for charities can be found here.