Visions of a mid c21st civil society Challenges for funders from the Review of Reviews John Griffiths @LondonFunders

A new narrative? – Some recurring themes . . . Interpreting the act of Brexit A new set of “social evils” Five pillars of c21st civil society Re-inventing government (again) Strong sense of optimism . . . “civil society needs to change” The growing significance of place-based approaches Reaffirming the value of organisations’ independence/voice Recognising London’s uniqueness . . . but also its added responsibility London’s Giving - transforming and energising local giving @LondonFunders

What we are up against (1) . . . London’s Giving - transforming and energising local giving @LondonFunders

What we are up against (2) . . . Regional income inequality – population in the top and bottom 10% Top 1% share of net household income, 1961-2017 Female life-expectancy at birth by IMD decile, 2001 and 2016 Homeownership by young people, 25-34 yrs, 1996-2017 @LondonFunders Sources – London’s Poverty Profile 2017; Inequalities in the c21st I.F.S., 2018 London’s Giving - transforming and energising local giving

Reactions from Funders 44% of funders need to change considerably Collaboration lies at the heart of our work Data – unexciting, but essential . . . Get the narrative right . . . P.A.C.T. is already being embraced . . . Power – too much funding is not driven by those it’s intended to serve; “Let go” Accountability – too many funders still see this as a one-way street (see IVAR/Esmee) Connectedness – of state/sector/business, as well as across civil society organisations Trust – relationships need time/money; absence of trust drives dishonest reporting.   @LondonFunders London’s Giving - transforming and energising local giving

Challenges and opportunities for funders People Securing a new future for civil society with people at its heart Exploiting London’s unique assets and responsibilities Place Exploiting “double devolution” – the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Harnessing London’s wealth – realising the potential of civic philanthropy Recognising the challenges of place-based funding in a London context – national funders investing in an economic success story – a magnet for jobs/investment; London’s funders investing in asset-rich places . . . Partnership (and collaboration) Addressing weaknesses and inequity in civil society’s funding eg inner/outer London; large vs small CSOs Bringing real-time funding data together with a shared understanding of needs . . . more fully exploiting the power of digital/technology – 360 Giving is just the start . . . Investing in and learning from what’s working – core funding; showcasing; differences between replicating; evolving and scaling Ensuring responsibility for promoting civil society remains cross-sectoral – the new vision is vulnerable if it is not shared; London Funders must retain membership balance, a willingness to challenge and be challenged. London’s Giving - transforming and energising local giving @LondonFunders

A vision of a mid c21st civil society Messages for funders from the Review of Reviews @LondonFunders