How it all started
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, a survey conducted by Karl Murray for The Ubele Initiative revealed that 9 out of 10 Black and Racially Minoritised community organisations, with annual incomes between £10k and £100k, were on the brink of closure due to insufficient financial reserves. The potential collapse of these organizations threatened to leave 15,000 to 20,000 individuals without essential 'safety net' services. Murray's report called for deeper exploration into the support needs of these vulnerable groups, leading to a partnership between Impact on Urban Health (IoUH) and The Ubele Initiative to co-design a more inclusive and responsive grant-making system.
In 2022, IOUH launched the ‘Safety Social Lab’, bringing together leaders from 18 Black and Racially Minoritised community organisations in Lambeth and Southwark to collaboratively rethink how grants are allocated.
After over 15 months of workshops and deep analysis, the learning coalition identified three key areas for innovation:
1. Radically re-imagining funding structures
2. Promoting community-owned wealth and assets
3. Advancing racial justice in education.
The 'Radically Re-imagining Funding of Social Issues' project was borne out of these insights, laying the foundation for creating a more equitable system where Black and Racially Minoritised community organisations have a say in how funds are invested to address the social challenges they face.
Now, more than ever, we need innovative approaches to support these communities.
Project timeline
PHASE 1 February 2024 - March 2025
MVP development and co-production phase
-
Project sponsor approves the project purpose, deliverables, budget, and governance arrangements.
-
Project Steering Group (PSG) agrees the project structure, management, accounting, reporting processes, and MOU outlining principles the group will be guided by
-
Text?
-
PSG meets funders to continue the conversation on the Grant Funding Draft System (GFDS) model and its development.
-
Project team produces minimum viable product (MVP) Grant Funding Draft System prototype.
-
Funders and Grant Partners approve the MVP GFDS prototype and sign-off the testing and evaluation plan.
PHASE 2 March 2025 - April 2024
Market testing phase of the GFDS prototype
-
Grant Investors and Grant Partners sign MOU and NDA confirming objectives, responsibilities of parties to the testing of the MVP GFDS prototype.
-
Grant Investors release investments funds for testing the MVP GFDS prototype.
-
GFDS prototype testing activity commences.
PHASE 3 September 2025 - June 2026
Evaluation and outcomes
-
GFDS prototype testing data is collated, evaluated, and reported to Grant Investors and Grant Partners at agreed intervals.
-
GFDS prototype testing project ends.