Jan Garrill, Associate Director of Yorkshire Funders
The critical state of frontline organisations
This space is designed to foster collaboration, spark innovation, and strengthen our collective impact on Yorkshire’s charitable sector. Whether you’re looking to share lessons learned, discuss pressing challenges, or celebrate community successes, we invite all voices to contribute. Together, we can build a more connected and informed funding community, creating positive change across the region. Join us in shaping the future of Yorkshire’s philanthropy—your insights are valued and welcome.
To kick start it, here is my perspective on the critical state of frontline organisations, with a call for more strategic funding and grown-up relationships with funders. These are my personal views.
Frontline charitable organisations are facing a storm of challenges. Often the cornerstone of local communities, these organisations are on the front lines addressing urgent issues, from food insecurity and homelessness to mental health support. But with rising operational costs, more competition for grants, and tighter funding, many of these organisations are now facing an existential crisis, particularly here in Yorkshire.
Recent reports indicate that over 40% of small organisations across the UK are at risk of closure without immediate financial intervention, and Yorkshire is no exception. Grassroots organisations, uniquely connected to the communities they serve, often have unparalleled insight into local needs. Yet, unlike larger national organisations, they lack the financial reserves to sustain their work amidst escalating costs and shrinking donations from individuals whose own finances are stretched by the ongoing riding cost-of-living.
For Yorkshire’s grantmakers, this moment calls for a targeted and flexible approach. Localised grants, offering unrestricted funding and operational support, can provide the stability these organisations need to survive and thrive. Yorkshire’s grantmakers can also play a pivotal role by offering multi-year funding, which would enable grassroots organisations to plan long-term and focus on expanding their impact instead of scrambling to secure short-term support.
Funders back-office processes also need to adapt and recognise the times we are in. I recently heard of one funder that still requires every receipt for a grant of under £3000 and another that pays grants retrospectively. Who covers the costs of such poor grantmaking? The frontline organisations themselves or other funders. Neither is acceptable.
There’s never been a more critical time to champion local organisations in Yorkshire. By investing in the region’s grassroots initiatives, grantmakers can ensure vital services remain available to those who need them most, empowering our communities and creating a sustainable legacy. In partnership, we can build resilience across Yorkshire’s charitable sector and, ultimately, support a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive region for all.
Written in November 2024 by: Jan Garrill, Associate Director of Yorkshire Funders