Place Matters

??????Who’s Benefiting and who’s left behind in #PlaceBased initiatives? Our latest analysis reveals that 84% of place-based projects identified “Children and Young People” as their main beneficiary, and 60% aim to support “people living in poverty”. However, other groups, such as people with complex health conditions, older people, and the homeless, receive limited support from these funding programmes. ?? Key Insight: While focusing on one beneficiary group may seem most impactful, there’s an opportunity to better address the needs of other underserved groups who may be facing multiple, overlapping challenges. Let’s open the conversation: What could place-based initiatives around other beneficiaries look like? Explore more insights from our report: https://buff.ly/4ekP09L

??????Who’s Benefiting and who’s left behind in #PlaceBased initiatives? Our latest analysis reveals that 84% of place-based projects identified “Children and Young People” as their main beneficiary, and 60% aim to support “people living in poverty”. However, other groups, such as people with complex health conditions, older people, and the homeless, receive limited support from these funding programmes. ?? Key Insight: While focusing on one beneficiary group may seem most impactful, there’s an opportunity to better address the needs of other underserved groups who may be facing multiple, overlapping challenges. Let’s open the conversation: What could place-based initiatives around other beneficiaries look like? Explore more insights from our report: https://buff.ly/4ekP09L

?Are We Allowing Enough Time and Resources for #SystemsChange in our #PlaceBased Funding Efforts? Our Insight Report analysis reveals that the average place-based grant award runs for about 5.3 years, with a median of four years. While this is a considerable commitment, systems change often demands sustained, long-term movements that may exceed these timeframes. The funding commitment is not backing that effort! Key Insights: ?? Funding Levels: Average project funding is approximately ￡600,000, with a median of ￡200,000. Many projects are under ￡1 million—a level that may not fully align with the systemic change ambitions of place-based initiatives. ??Duration: With the average project length at 5.3 years, we’re prompted to ask if the typical grant period is enough to drive lasting transformation. To support impactful, lasting change, funders may need to reconsider both the scale of funding and the length of commitments. Explore more in our full report. https://buff.ly/4ekP09L

??Tonight, tune in to BBC One at 7 pm for the BBC Children in Need Appeal Show 2024—a celebration of the incredible efforts that make a difference to young lives. Supporting children and families through life’s toughest challenges is at the heart of what BBC Children in Need does and we feel privileged at Place Matters to be working with them in efforts to tackle child poverty. Their work changes lives, and today we want to recognise and celebrate their incredible impact! #ChildrenInNeed ??

??Where are the “bright spots” and gaps in #PlaceBased #funding? While London and the Northwest see a high concentration of projects, regions like the East of England, East Midlands, and Northern Ireland attract significantly less investment in this work. ?? Key Insight: It is important to address the issue of regional disparities and consider why these areas don’t attract funding for this type of work to the same extent. Perhaps some places have local charities that are better at making the case for funding? Or, does local political leadership and mayoral authorities make a difference to where funds are allocated by philanthropy? It all leads to the question, what can be done to make funding distribution more equitable across our diverse range of communities. Read our full report to dive deeper into these insights https://buff.ly/4ekP09L

?? Congratulations to Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO, CBE her new role as Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund! Dame Julia co-founded Place Matters in 2019 to empower communities to lead the change they want to see through impactful connection and learning. As our chair, she has guided us with unwavering dedication, her commitment to collaboration, empowerment, and "connecting the unconnected" has been a guiding force, inspiring our journey and strengthening our mission. Known for her lasting impact on every organisation she supports, we’re confident Dame Julia will bring her trademark vision and energy to her new role. Thank you, Dame Julia, for your remarkable leadership and for championing a brighter future for all communities. We can’t wait to see the difference you’ll make at The National Lottery Community Fund!

?? In 2023, a coalition of UK-based funders came together to discuss how to deliver more #collaborative, #impactful #PlaceBased funding. This convening led to the development of our Place-Based Interactive Map and Insights Report! These tools help to inform funding decisions through analysing the distribution of projects and funds across the UK, and have the ability to connect those working towards place-based change. Through this map, we’ve highlighted 114 projects that address social and economic challenges through place-based, collaborative approaches. Supported by ￡62 million in funding, the map not only highlights many fantastic initiatives, but also raises awareness around areas needing greater support. To dive deeper, visit our website for the full report: https://buff.ly/4ekP09L We’ll be sharing key insights from the report over the next few weeks, so stay tuned! Civic Power Fund Corra Foundation Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Footwork Impact on Urban Health The Lankellychase Foundation Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales LocalMotion Local Trust The Rank Foundation Right To Succeed Save the Children UK Steve Morgan Foundation Youth Endowment Fund Youth Futures Foundation

?????? This #TrusteesWeek, we extend our sincere gratitude to the exceptional leaders steering Place Matters. Their dedication and expertise are vital in driving community-centred, place-based change. ??Our Chair, Dame Julia Cleverdon DCVO, CBE, is known for her passionate advocacy and talent for bringing diverse groups together for the common good. Hear more about her place-based change insights from our June 2024 webinar featuring Julia and David Sanderson : https://buff.ly/4fk9EYG ??Graeme Duncan, founder of Right To Succeed, brings extensive experience in education and policy, shaping our strategies with a commitment to collective action. Learn about Right to Succeed’s involvement in the place-based Liverpool City Region Cradle to Career Programme : https://buff.ly/48Ia20D ?? Liz Weaver, Co-CEO of Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement, enriches our work with her deep knowledge of community change and poverty reduction. Her contributions, including Tamarack’s Collective Impact Toolkit, are invaluable to the way we think and work at Place Matters : https://buff.ly/4fv6qS8 We deeply appreciate the leadership and commitment of our trustees. Thank you for all that you do and the value you bring to Place Matters! For more on our team, visit our About Us page https://buff.ly/3UJWaxg

?? We were pleased to hear Cradle to Career has been celebrated as Collaborative Initiative of the Year by the Institute of Economic Development. Congratulations to all those who have worked incredibly hard to push the programme forward! At Place Matters, we feel privileged to have supported Cradle to Career with their learning. A true demonstration of how place-based collaborative initiatives have real impact on our communities. Read more about it in the fantastic New Local article below! Right To Succeed Liverpool City Region Combined Authority #placebasedchange

Many thanks for your inspiring call to action at our session this week. So much potential for philanthropy to work more closely together tackle the tough stuff with communities