Meet the Hub's new Impact and Learning Advisory Group

As funders step up their efforts to tackle the challenges of our times – from the climate crisis to widespread inequalities – it is increasingly being recognised that collaboration, in all its forms, can help them achieve more.

Just last week, the FT reported on on how philanthropists are embracing collaboration to multiply their impact, noting that by pooling resources “funders are able to put larger amounts of money behind impactful ideas” and can “take a wider view of an issue, and take bigger risks.” The article quotes ACF's Jim Cooke, alongside examples of funder collaborations such as Farming the Future that have featured on the Funders Collaborative Hub.

By making it easier for funders to share and connect with each other’s work, the Hub has an important role to play in growing and strengthening the collaborative funding ecosystem.

But how can we learn more about the impact the Hub is having? And how can we use this learning to make sure its service offer remains relevant and viable in the long term?

These are important questions for us at ACF, but we can’t answer them on our own. That’s why we’ve recruited seven fantastic colleagues to form our new Impact and Learning Advisory Group.

Over the next 18 months, this group will work with ACF to learn about the effectiveness of the Hub’s current work and explore what we might stop, start, continue or do differently to maximise its long-term impact. (Its full terms of reference are here.)

When I chaired the group’s first meeting last month, it was clear to me that the depth and diversity of their expertise is matched by their shared passion for making funding as socially impactful as possible.

Below you can read more from each member of the group about the experience they bring to its work and the difference they hope it will make.

Yu-Shan Chiu, director of consulting, The Social Investment Consultancy (TSIC)

"I bring an equitable lens to impact and learning, specialising in methods such as equitable evaluation, anti-racist evaluation and participatory approaches. I am part of the founding team at the Equitable Evaluation Collective in the UK, which was established to enable and promote equity-centred practice in social sector evaluation.

"My motivation to join the Hub's advisory group stems from my passion for supporting foundations in enhancing their impact through effective learning, practices and collaboration. I am keen to see the Hub facilitate more cross-sector collaborations and foster enabling conditions for systems change to happen."

Josh Cockcroft, data lead, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

"Collaboration should be a central tenet for funders. It is essential that we coordinate and work together so we can maximise the impact of our funds. Whether this is in the form of sharing learning, pooling funds or aligning strategies, it is vital to ensure an effective sector.

"The Funders Collaborative Hub is a crucial way to facilitate this, and is itself an example of what funder collaboration can lead to. Its ethos and transparency is vital for the sector."

Anne Fox, CEO, Clinks

"Charitable funding is the lifeblood of the criminal justice sector, but being funded by several different grant sources can bring complexities, particularly for the smallest organisations and those led by and for people with protected characteristics.

"As CEO of a specialist charity infrastructure organisation, I work closely with third sector organisations, government officials and independent funders, to help promote a full understanding of how our sector works and how it is best funded. I hope to bring to the work of the Funders Collaborative Hub a wealth of knowledge from our sector’s 1,500 or so organisations in England and Wales, so that we can shape how funding reaches people who need it."

Lisa Raftery, head of grants, Social Investment Business

"I strongly believe in strengthening cross-funder and sector connections and collaborations, having seen their impact over 20 years of working across the funding, public and charitable sectors.

"I have benefited from the role of the Funders Collaborative Hub in enabling collaboration opportunities that I have both engaged with and instigated myself. With the support of the Hub, I set up a community of practice on trauma informed grant-making, to improve awareness and share learning across funders supporting vulnerable communities.

"Regardless of the topic, the Hub provides a dedicated space for sharing knowledge and expertise and collaborating across the funding sector and beyond. This has already connected funders on many issues from participatory grant-making and DEI to enterprise grants and social impact investing.

"As part of the advisory group, I hope to ensure that the Hub continues its vital role in supporting cross-funder and sector collaborations, learning from what has and hasn’t worked well so far, and to support the Hub to continue to grow its impact and reach."

Katherine Sellar, community programmes manager, People's Postcode Lottery, and trustee, Edinburgh and Lothian Trust Fund

"I want to be involved in the Hub because I think funders can make more of a difference by working together and that we have so much to learn from each other. It’s so exciting to read about all the fantastic collaboration opportunities listed on the Hub. I want to help spread the word and help ensure it is relevant to all grant-makers.

"As a Trustee for a smaller, local funder and an employee of a larger national one, I hope to bring both these perspectives, as I think the Hub can benefit all funders, whatever their size or remit!"

Samantha Stewart, head of programmes, Nationwide Foundation

"Collaboration and partnerships are crucial for any social change, particularly when influencing complex systems. We see strong evidence of this across all sectors and communities. Yet collaboration between funders seems to be quite a new approach, largely born out of response to a social emergency rather than normal funding practice.

"The Funders Collaborative Hub has facilitated collaborations that would otherwise not have happened. It’s been good to see the Hub develop since 2021 and I’m looking forward to working with colleagues to understand how it can become the ‘go to’ place for all funders that are looking to share their passion, money and resources, fostering connections that contribute to the social change that is so needed across the UK."

Elaine Wilson, head of learning and development, Corra Foundation

"I’m passionate about collaborating. I value the variety and different definitions of collaborations, whether a formal partnership with a specific goal that aims to have greater impact or shared opportunities for learning – there is space for all. The Funders Collaborative Hub is an exciting opportunity that enables this to happen, and I am delighted to be part of this work.

"The flexibility and agility of the Hub offers so many possibilities. It creates opportunities to offer safe reflective conversations on why and how we do things.  I am particularly struck that the Hub isn’t for a select few, but available to all. The emphasis is about the ideas you have, insights and knowledge you bring and sharing with like-minded people."