Clarion Housing Group’s Post

Another insightful report from Environmental Funders Network. I really recommend their reports for anyone who wants to better understand the challenges of fundraising in this sector. My favourite ideas here are: - Pooled and collaborative funds around a common vision (allowing easier match funding and bigger, longer-term projects) - Giving open opportunities for applicants to pitch ideas in brief before shortlisting, instead of invite-only funds or lengthy upfront forms (+ interesting suggestion to use AI for screening if overwhelmed by approaches, though I can't claim to know how that would work in practice) - Providing Word/Google doc versions of online forms (with word/space counts) to allow collaborative working offline (setting these docs up myself each time is SO time-consuming, but very necessary for collaborative bid writing) - Adding an unrestricted grant to all project grants (wow, love this) - Making funding available for pre-project research, development and partnership-building. Many initiatives I find most exciting (and ambitious) arise from an initial investment in these activities, but often only those well-connected with funders or with substantial unrestricted income can afford it, or (at grassroots level) those driven by very motivated/skilled individuals with the privilege to spend unpaid time on it. - Stop obsessing about innovation. My view is this is better addressed by asking applicants to justify their idea in the context of current conditions, rather than requiring innovation when the surrounding context hasn’t changed and existing good practice is still good practice. There is some potentially contradictory advice for funders here – keeping an open mind about approaches whilst also being clear on your fundraising criteria – but I think this can be addressed: - Focus criteria on a vision of what you want to achieve, not arbitrary restrictions on who/how - Stage 1: Keep the initial pitch brief (what/why) - Stage 2: If the pitch is of interest, raise any initial concerns or points to clarify (so ideas are not rejected for the wrong reason) - Stage 3: If reassured, invite a manageable number of the best ideas to apply in full. I would love to know how this report is received by funders. A lot of EFN's funder members already follow many of the recommended principles, but many don't (e.g. not accepting unsolicited applications), so it would be great to better understand the barriers from their perspective (or a nudge to stop making excuses...) - perhaps an online panel discussion, or follow-up report that anonymously explores and reports back on funder responses to the recommendations? #grants #fundraising #environment #charity #nonprofit

Worth a read for those funding (or fundraising for) environmental/climate issues - this new report from EfN really aligns with the importance of an Open and Trusting approach to grant-making

Our new report to help nurture better funder-fundraiser relationships is live: ✨ Increasing the effectiveness of environmental funder-fundraiser relationships  ✨ We all know that growing the amount of funding for environmental work is a priority, but an equally important one is to increase the effectiveness of funding and maximise the impact of every pound spent. This new report examines areas of ineffectiveness in the current environmental funding landscapes and homes in on 20 key issues. With feedback from environmental fundraisers and showcasing existing solutions, we offer six cross-cutting broad recommendations for funders to consider going forward: 1️⃣ Focus on people and outcomes rather than projects and outputs 2️⃣ Underpin all behaviour with trust and flexibility 3️⃣ Make decisions based on a combination of long-term thinking and urgency 4️⃣ Design application and reporting processes carefully & relax requirements where feasible 5️⃣ Collaborate as much as possible 6️⃣ Create and embrace opportunities to hear from grantholders Many of our findings are not new, but we hope bringing them together will catalyse changes going forward. Let us know what you think! Read now: https://lnkd.in/e3sBqBBn #environment #philanthropy #funding #fundraising #trusts #foundations #funders #fundraisers

💡 Read this great new report from Environmental Funders Network that our CEO Aoife O'Leary contributed to! Aoife said, "This report is much needed showing the way forward for effective environmental funding. We have limited resources and a huge challenge, it’s so important to have the practical tools to make sure the money moves as effectively as possible!" Get stuck into the report below to hear more about improving funder-fundraiser relationships, including some key recommendations for funders to consider going forward. 👇 #ClimatePhilanthropy #Philanthropy #Fundraising #fundraisers #GreenCharity #funders

The William Sutton Prize is open to applications from social innovators, up to £25k for organisations working on Environmental Sustainability, contributing to the restoration and preservation of our natural world and on ‘Connected Communities’ supporting impact-led ideas that enhance social housing residents’ physical, emotional and social wellbeing.

So, we talk a lot about sustainable housing and ensuring green home access to all, but we can talk, educate, run programs, and develop products all day long; however, we also need support from policymakers to make these things happen at a large scale and impact real change. Therefore, I want to challenge you all to register to vote, if you have not yet, and encourage everyone else you know to register. Also, contact your local, county, state, and federal lawmakers and look at their proposed policies regarding sustainable housing and equitable access. Ask them questions. What are your policies to advance better buildings for all? How will we decarbonize all existing and new housing stock? Then, decide and vote for those who seem the most inspired, the most articulate and/or have proven track records on these matters.

Capital Power's support in this project made and impact! Repurpose by GW Goodwill’s initial report showed an impressive impact: 357 reusable bags have been produced by the program, equivalent to approximately 535 pairs of jeans 403 hours of employment for four individuals with disabilities 2,140 pounds of CO2 saved from entering the atmosphere 4,066,000 litres of water saved

California Community Reinvestment Corporation (CCRC) is honored to announce that as a coalition member of Climate United, we stand ready to put a portion of the $6.97B awarded to work in California to support sustainability in the affordable multi-family housing we finance. The $6.97B award represents the lion’s share of the National Clean Investment Fund to improve and sustain green affordable housing! Climate United is a national nonprofit focused on creating opportunities for green technology to provide community benefit throughout the country. This nonprofit is a coalition led by the The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), Self-Help Credit Union, and Calvert Impact as well as CDFI partners administering funds at the state level. It was announced as a recipient of the grant by Vice President Kamala Harris and EPA Administrator Michael Regan on Thursday, April 4, 2024. CCRC participated in the coalitional effort alongside several other climate-committed organizations to apply for and secure this grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. As a stake holding CDFI, CCRC’s cooperation in the procurement of this funding allows the organization to take an active role in the distributive efforts at a state level. With a multi-decade proven commitment to dignified affordable housing, CCRC is excited to continue to champion equity through the intersection of sustainability and infrastructure. Climate United’s emphasis on green affordable housing aligns deeply with CCRC’s work to create long-lasting, intuitively constructed housing for underserved community members. A forward focus for the housing market relies on an understanding that the climate and housing crises are interconnected in their marginalization of low-income communities, and there must be concerted effort to address both at once in a way that reaffirms the autonomy and self-determination of this vulnerable demographic. #WeAreClimateUnited #affordablehousing

Emerald Necklace in Boston: A Lesson in Sustainability The Emerald Necklace is a perfect place to walk in Boston during the fall. The sound of water flowing through this serene landscape is more than just soothing—it’s a reminder of how essential water is to sustain the trees and habitats around it. As I walked, listening to the peaceful flow, I couldn’t help but think of how endowments serve a similar purpose for NGOs. Just as water sustains this natural ecosystem, endowments are crucial for the long-term survival of nonprofits, providing a financial buffer to withstand economic downturns. Over the past 15 years in the NGO sector, I’ve come to see my work not just as a job, but as a calling and a responsibility—both to the people we serve and to the dedicated staff who support them. Too often, passionate founders pour their energy into delivering programs but overlook sustainability. Without an endowment or a sustainable funding source, even the most impactful NGOs can falter in times of financial crisis, leaving vulnerable communities at risk. That’s why I believe in building an endowment before launching programs. By only spending the dividends and protecting the principal, I ensure the longevity of our projects. Endowments are one pillar of sustainability, but effective leadership and strategic planning are also essential to keep an NGO thriving. As I always say: don’t start something you can’t sustain—it’s a responsibility we owe to those we serve. #NonprofitLeadership #SustainableImpact #NGOManagement #FinancialSustainability #EndowmentFund #SocialImpact #NonprofitFunding #LeadershipLessons #ImpactInvesting #NonprofitFinance #StrategicPlanning #SocialGood #SustainableDevelopment

Grant funding can be a game-changer, providing crucial resources to implement innovative solutions. We've curated a list of relevant grants to help businesses of all sizes. This includes grants for initiatives like: -Renewable energy projects -Sustainable product development -Agribusiness programs -Teaching & Community outreach initiatives Don't let funding limitations hold you back! Access these grants to unleash the potential to create a lasting positive impact. #SustainabilityGrants #Funding #Support #GreenBusiness