Grants to individuals have been long established to support people in need or people to develop their work in particular sectors, such as the arts. More recently, there has been an increased interest in funders who have traditionally funded organisations to directly support individuals, including young people, who strive to achieve social change.
On 7th May, the Co-op Foundation will launch its scoping study on approaches to funding individuals. They conducted this research as part of establishing the Young Gamechangers Fund. The Fund is match-funded by the Co-op and the #iwill Fund, delivered by Restless Development and Global Fund for Children, and gives funding directly to young people and organisations a young person has founded or is a member of.
This online launch event will highlight key findings from our scoping study, which is based on a review of 20 funding programmes. They will present different funding models and key steps in establishing a fund for individuals. They will also share our journey so far in launching the Young Gamechangers Fund a fund for individuals, along with our delivery partners Restless Development and Global Fund for Children.
The session will also bring together other funders who support individuals to discuss:
- What are the motivations and aspirations to giving to individuals?
- What have been the risks of funding individuals, and how can these be mitigated?
- How can a funder embed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles in different aspects of their fund?
The speakers include:
- Jennie Barnes, Funding & Partnerships Manager, Co-op Foundation
- Dr Asimina Vergou, Head of Learning and Impact, Co-op Foundation
- Young members of the Young Gamechangers Fund Steering Group (names to be confirmed)
- Keith Short, Head of UK and European Programmes, Restless Development
- Katherine Gilmour, Senior Regional Co-Director, Europe and Eurasia, Global Fund for Children
- Ushi Bagga, Head of Programme – Individuals, Paul Hamlyn Foundation
- Clare McGread, Director of Grants Development, Buttle UK
- Daniel Williams. Engagement Director, Youth Music
Co-op Foundation is the Co-op’s charity and we’re co-operating for a fairer world. We believe co-operation is at the heart of strong communities and this makes us a different kind of funder. We asked young people to shape our vision, and now we’re co-operating with them and others to turn this into reality.
