Charities across the North of England are finding it tough. Like many areas, they’ve been hit by spending cuts while seeing demand for their services increase. A recent survey by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) found that 40% of charities in the North said government funding cuts were one of their biggest challenges, while 1 in 5 smaller charities (21%) said they were ‘struggling to survive’.

When the Garfield Weston Foundation and Pilotlight launched the newly expanded Weston Charity Awards across the whole of the North this year, it was exactly these charities we wanted to reach. Charities like 42nd Street, an organisation that has been supporting young people across Greater Manchester for over 30 years. Chief Executive, Simone Spray, says:

“We have seen a 100% increase in the number of young people needing our service over the last 2 years and the issues that they are facing are increasingly complex and difficult, set against a challenging and changing political and financial backdrop. We are determined to continue to meet the needs of young people that need us and the coaching, capacity building and expertise offered by the awards could not have come at a more critical time.”

As we announce all twelve winners today in Manchester, I’ve been reflecting on what we’ve learnt over the last two years. What is the value of ‘another’ award?

The Awards were vastly oversubscribed this year, with the same number applying for 12 places as apply to Pilotlight across the whole year. The offer of financial support no doubt has influence here, though there is also an urgency to apply by the deadline and a competitive edge with a limited number of Awards available. The core programme we run at Pilotlight is open to applications all year round but with the Awards, charities weren’t able to leave their applications until tomorrow.

Charities also told us that they like the value and prestige that comes with being a ‘Winner’. It not only acknowledges the work they are delivering in the community but is an achievement that can be highlighted in other funding bids and to local authorities.

Blending together the traditional offer of funding with the coaching and mentoring – the new ‘Grants Plus’ model – also seems to make the award more attractive to many. Charities desperately need funding, but it is not only money that they are after, they strive to be better as well. The funding from Garfield Weston enables charities to have the headspace to make the most of the capacity building support Pilotlight offers. Yet, this support also helps the money go further by having a longer-term impact.

So, after two years what trends are we seeing amongst applicants?

Not surprisingly perhaps, we are seeing a lot of applications from those addressing the needs of groups whom public spending cuts affect earliest, notably women, young people and those affected by homelessness. I was also curious about the high number of organisations with religious origins. Is this an impact of public policy over the last 5 years? With less public money available, are more of those charities that survive ones who have been able to draw from other pools of time and money?

Linked to this is another – very positive – trend which left an impression on me. The charities that applied to these Awards are standing up and being proactive about achieving their goals. They aren’t waiting for someone to come along and give them money to keep going. They were taking action to ensure their impact would be felt today, next week and for the following 10+ years.

Given the challenges that are without a doubt coming for small charities, it was refreshing to see such gumption. Indeed, it’s exactly what the Weston Charity Awards were set up to promote in the first place.

It is early days but I feel that by targeting underlying issues and encouraging positive trends, grant makers can have a systemic impact not just fill holes - this may be the biggest lesson from the Awards, so far.

By Robbie Cowbury, Project Manager, Pilotlight

Written by
Robbie Cowbury
Charity Recruitment Manager - Pilotlight