JUMP for joy
Emily Dyson, Head of Communications at IVAR and Trustee at The JUMP: At IVAR we often talk about how
Read moreEmily Dyson, Head of Communications at IVAR and Trustee at The JUMP: At IVAR we often talk about how
Read moreThis series shares some of the challenges 12 long-term leaders have been exploring together over the past 18 months, in
Read moreIn our fourth blog from our learning in uncertainty series, Marta Arranz reflects on recent experiences and shares simple and
Read moreThis series shares some of the challenges 12 long-term leaders have been exploring together over the past 18 months, in
Read moreIn our third blog from our learning in uncertainty series, Nikki Wimborne from Cripplegate Foundation reflects on breaking free from
Read moreIn early November, IVAR will be publishing research into why and how foundations give unrestricted funding. We’d like to invite
Read moreThis series shares some of the challenges 12 long-term leaders have been exploring together over the past 18 months, in
Read moreIn the second blog from our learning in uncertainty blog series, Donna Buxton from City Bridge Trust (CBT) reflects on
Read moreThis series shares some of the challenges 12 long-term leaders have been exploring together over the past 18 months, in
Read moreIn the first blog of our learning in uncertainty series, Shoshana Boyd Gelfand reflects on what it means to be
Read moreWe’ve spent over a year reporting on leadership during the uncertainty of the pandemic, capturing the experiences of voluntary and
Read moreIVAR introduction Leaders of smaller voluntary organisations experienced a prolonged, and unprecedented, period of uncertainty during 2020/21 in the height
Read moreIVAR introduction Leaders of smaller voluntary organisations experienced a prolonged, and unprecedented, period of uncertainty during 2020/21 in the height
Read moreIVAR introduction Leaders of smaller voluntary organisations experienced a prolonged, and unprecedented, period of uncertainty during 2020/21 in the height
Read moreAt IVAR, we recognise the value and importance of engaging people with varied viewpoints in our work, and listening to
Read moreOver the last three weeks, I’ve met 32 leaders of small and medium voluntary organisations at four online peer support
Read moreWe’ve heard from 23 leaders during our recent peer support sessions. Here, two of those leaders share reflections about what
Read moreIn Lancashire and South Cumbria, Pennine Lancashire is often cited as an example of good practice in cross-sector working in
Read moreIntroduction from IVAR Much has been written about how funders acted differently in the context of the pandemic. Funded
Read moreCity Bridge Trust (CBT) have signed up to our eight commitments for open and trusting grant-making. They join us as one
Read moreThese precarious times have created mounting pressures, huge challenges and uncertainty for the voluntary sector. At the same time, opportunities
Read moreThe Shears Foundation have signed up to our eight commitments for open and trusting grant–making. They join us as one
Read moreChilli Studios shared their story with us for our latest report Response to change: how small voluntary organisations are using tech. Their
Read moreRape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) North Wales shared their story with us for our latest report Response to
Read moreIntegrate UK shared their story with us for our latest report Response to change: how small voluntary organisations are using tech. Their
Read moreSaving Lives shared their story with us for our latest report Response to change: how small voluntary organisations are using tech. Their
Read moreWe have received some very sad news – our inspiring and wonderful Chair, Jane Hatfield, has died from ovarian cancer.
Read moreSince the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, we have spoken to over 1,000 voluntary organisations across our portfolio of research.
Read moreOne year ago, on 9th April 2020, we published The pressures of uncertainty – the first of fifteen Covid-19 briefings for
Read moreAs the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, the scale and pace of change has impacted the way we live and work. Although
Read moreThe William Grant Foundation have signed up to our eight commitments for open and trusting grant–making. They join us as
Read moreSince March 2020, funders and charities alike have learnt to work in a new way: remotely, and in extreme uncertainty.
Read moreIn partnership with SEUK, IVAR hosted the Transforming Healthcare Together Virtual Conference on 17th and 18th November 2020. Panellists on
Read moreIn this 10-minute blog, Ben and Sara explore the idea of ‘alignment’ and how it could help trusts and foundations
Read moreWhen persuaded to write this blog, I was asked to reflect on big transformational changes for 2021, no small task. It
Read moreWhat we have learned this year is that our Partners – those grantees with whom we have long-term, core funding relationships
Read moreWhat a surreal eerie time the last eight months have been and I can’t say I’m getting more used to
Read moreHow do you want to be judged? By how much you earn? By your kindness and humanity? It’s not an
Read moreWest Hertfordshire Hospitals NHs Trust is part of a network of 30 NHS Trusts and their respective charities who have been welcoming
Read moreAt a recent Evaluation Roundtable Community of Practice session we asked what working practices people are hoping to retain from lockdown; and
Read moreThe Royal Free London is part of a network of 30 NHS Trusts and their respective charities who have been welcoming young volunteers since
Read moreWith months of local restrictions now extended to a national lockdown, it is clear that ‘Covid-recovery’ is far from us
Read moreAt a recent Evaluation Roundtable Community of Practice session we asked what working practices people are hoping to retain from lockdown; and
Read moreTahmed shares his experience of volunteering at Birmingham Children’s Hospital during Covid-19. The hospital is part of a network of
Read moreAt a recent Evaluation Roundtable Community of Practice session we asked what working practices people are hoping to retain from lockdown; and
Read moreAt a recent Evaluation Roundtable Community of Practice session we asked what working practices people are hoping to retain from lockdown; and
Read moreAt a recent Evaluation Roundtable Community of Practice session we asked what working practices people are hoping to retain from
Read moreThey say moving to a new house is one of the most stressful things you can do. For others it’s
Read moreAs in many areas, the Social Prescribing Link Worker role is new in Lytham St Anne’s Primary Care Network. Two
Read moreOver the last decade there has been much talk of funders – particularly trusts and foundations – trying to become
Read moreIn late June we hosted an informal discussion about leadership and how things have changed since Covid-19. We asked Segun,
Read moreAll the italicised quotes here are taken from members of the Evaluation Roundtable Community of Practice – staff with lead
Read moreSince April, we have facilitated a series of peer support sessions for Volunteer Coordinators from NHS Trusts. Through these sessions,
Read moreHow accountable are you to the individuals and groups that you are set up to support? Not very, according to
Read moreWe recently hosted a conversation for small charities with those who fund and support them, to explore their social change
Read moreSo, you’re feeling ill, it’s the middle of the Covid-19 lockdown, you don’t speak English and your mobile phone is
Read moreSince April, over 70 leaders from healthcare, VCSE and local authorities have joined IVAR and SEUK-run peer support groups, sharing
Read more15 weeks ago, we proposed five principles to guide funders in rising to the challenge of the unfolding Covid-19 crisis:
Read moreCovid-19 has been like a viral version of globalisation. It’s the import and export of a deadly virus that pays
Read moreThe welfare of their workforce How can they protect staff morale and wellbeing? How can they prevent staff burnout during
Read moreOver the past 11 weeks, we’ve hosted peer support sessions for over 180 VCSE leaders across the UK. We’re publishing
Read moreRecognising the tremendous pressure that health, VCSE and local authority leaders are under as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak,
Read moreA group of Cumbria Funders supporting community-led emergency response work share their deliberations over what a sustained response to Covid-19
Read moreCoronavirus or Covid-19 has brought both challenges and amazing new opportunities for our volunteers here at East Sussex Healthcare NHS
Read morePoppy Osman, a volunteer at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust: ‘My name is Poppy and I’m currently volunteering in the
Read moreFizz McNally, a volunteer at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust: ‘I’m Fizz, I’m 19 and I’m a young volunteer in
Read moreJoanna Holmes is Co-Director of Wellspring Settlement which was formed out of a merger in February 2020 between Barton Hill Settlement and Wellspring
Read moreLeah Swain is CEO of Community First Yorkshire, which was formed out of a merger in 2017 between North Yorkshire &
Read moreLaurie Rackind is CEO of JAMI (Jewish Association for Mental Illness), which merged with Jewish Care in 2012: Isolation and
Read moreBen Hughes was CEO of bassac which, in 2011, merged with Development Trusts Association to form Locality: I remember being asked
Read moreThis blog is complemented by a series of practitioner perspectives. IVAR has learned much over the last two decades about
Read moreThis blog shares four perspectives of practitioners who have led merger processes. We asked them to share their reflections for
Read moreOver the past 15 months, we’ve been supporting grassroots, community-based grant-making in each of the four home nations through Comic
Read morePOP+ has just run a survey of how charities, social enterprises and grassroots groups have been affected by Covid-19. I
Read moreThe Sir George Martin Trust is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire and was established in 1956 by my father-in-law’s uncle
Read moreSince the outbreak of the Covid-19 crisis, we have been scouring our collective histories (of research as well as lived
Read moreSince the beginning of this crisis, we have been drawing on conversations with VCSE organisations and with individual foundations across
Read moreFunders across the UK are busy adapting their processes to better support their grantees and the wider sector in the
Read moreThe outbreak of the coronavirus in the UK presents a shock that is without precedent for most of us. It
Read moreI blogged on Wednesday about the simple, immediate actions that funders can take – and many are already taking –
Read moreLast week, IVAR and London Funders issued a joint blog on what was learned from the funding response to the Grenfell
Read moreIn 2018, IVAR and London Funders published a report looking at the key features of funders’ grant-making responses to the
Read moreIs the charity landscape increasingly blighted by silos and run by egos? Silos mean lots of people are working in
Read moreStainsacre is a Yorkshire village 2 miles from Whitby where transport via bus has stopped due to cutbacks. This has
Read moreOur recent studies The possible, not the perfect and Duty to Care? observed that ‘too much caution can narrow the
Read moreIn June 2019, a team of Tudor Trust staff and trustees visited Hartlepool to test out a way of paring
Read moreThe Center for Evaluation, based in Washington DC, have pioneered a “learning habits” approach to becoming a learning organisation. In
Read moreFrom the outset, the Trust was designed as a spend-out organisation. From day one, we have been planning for closure.
Read moreIn order to change the culture within a health and care system, health, voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors (VCSE)
Read moreVita Terry (IVAR Senior Researcher) reflects on using film to document the process and progress of an intergenerational dance project
Read moreReporting on grants is an important but often difficult part of the relationship between the funder and funded organisation. However,
Read moreAt Coast and Vale Community Action, through our Totally Socially project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, we have
Read moreStreetlife took part in our Duty to Care? research project. We asked them about their recent experience of working with
Read moreGreater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit took part in our Duty to Care? research project. We asked them about their recent
Read moreCulpeper Community Garden took part in our Duty to Care? research project. We asked them about their recent experience of
Read moreRotherfield St Martin took part in our Duty to Care? research project. We asked them about their recent experience of
Read moreKatherine Low Settlement (KLS) is a multi-purpose charity in Battersea, South West London, which provides services to build stronger communities
Read moreWhat is it like to hear how others perceive your approach to learning? Pears Foundation and Corra Foundation have kindly
Read moreTotally Socially is an excellent example of how local infrastructure organisations are supporting voluntary and community groups to thrive. The
Read moreWe approached our study into whether ‘tech’ is imaginable and usable for small voluntary organisations in three phases, where each
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