Relational Funders
Strong relationships are not a frilly accessory to happy neighbourhoods, our mental wellbeing, climate justice or an equitable society. They are the making of it all.
So often, in the services we need and the places we live and work, perceived efficiency is prioritised over human connection. It doesn’t have to be that way. We can make the policies, create the conditions, and nurture the skills that bring about a world of good relationships.
The Relational Funders programme
Relational funding is key to realising this vision. If we get it right, it will unlock a fairer, healthier, safer, happier society.
In partnership with the Henry Smith Foundation, we have assembled a cohort of 10 UK trusts and foundations for a year-long programme. We are coming together once a month and exploring the possibilities of relational funding, testing approaches, working through challenges, and learning together.
The funders taking part in our first cohort are:
- BBC Children in Need
- The Henry Smith Foundation
- London Community Foundation
- London Funders
- The Lloyds Bank Foundation
- National Lottery Community Fund
- The Rank Foundation
- UBS Optimus Foundation
- UK Community Foundations
- The Young Foundation
A taste of the programme
In our exploration of relational funding, our cohort is examining trust, power, risk, rigour and accountability, considering the relationships between funders and funded, what is funded, and the relationships between the people working in trusts and foundations. We’re considering the role of technology and when a transaction will do, exploring how to resolve and utilise conflict, and examining what relational measurement and evaluation looks like.
We will be sharing what we learn along the way. For more information, or to express your interest in participating in a future relational funders cohort, please contact rosa@relationshipsproject.org.
A collaborative venture
We cannot do this work alone, nor would we wish to. Whether you have ideas, critiques, resources, are keen to help us deliver the Relational Practice Academy curriculum, or have something else to offer, we’d love to hear from you.
The Relational Practice Academy has grown from the Relationships Project, a field builder committed to the belief that everything works better when relationships work well.
The Relationships Project is developing the Relational Practice Academy, in collaboration with others, to meet the need for training in relational practice.
