How The Henry Smith Charity is supporting the social sector during our grant programme closures
In June 2024, we closed our Improving Lives and Strengthening Communities programmes, our two main grants programmes through which we distributed the majority of our funds. We are closed to new applications until the spring of 2025.
We recognised that some grant holders would see their funding end during this period of closure. To address this we launched the FlexFund: a £12 million initiative designed to provide additional funding to current grant holders who would usually have been eligible apply for further funding from our two major grant programmes, had they not closed.
This funding aims to:
- Bridge the gap, offering one year of additional support to organisations that may align with our upcoming strategy, helping them maintain momentum until applications for our new programmes reopen in 2025.
- Address immediate needs, providing flexibility for those who may not be eligible for funding under the new strategy, enabling them to address urgent organisational requirements during a time of financial uncertainty.
Responsible Funding in Practice
As a responsible funder, we are committed to the careful stewardship of our resources to maximise impact. By the end of 2024, all FlexFund grants will be fully committed, supporting up to 249 organisations with a total allocation of £11,152,800.
Our structured and transparent approach ensures:
- Continuity in support: Payments are scheduled to follow existing grant cycles, ensuring no gaps in support for our grant holders
- Equitable access: All eligible grant holders were notified of this fund in advance, to provide them with sufficient time to apply
- Flexibility: Grant recipients have full autonomy to allocate these funds according to their most pressing needs
Positive Feedback
The response to the FlexFund from our grant holders has been positive, with several organisations expressing their appreciation for the initiative.
Below are some anonymised comments from recipients that highlight this:
“I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to…everyone at the Henry Smith Charity for our FlexFund. We deeply appreciate the recognition of the support that charities such as ours need during these challenging financial times. Your flexibility and understanding as a funder are exceptional, and we wish more funders could be as considerate.”
– FlexFund Grant Recipient
“The application has been straightforward to complete… we have been very impressed with the potential offer of flexible funding at a time where we are facing many challenges with funding and rising costs…whilst a grant programme was being closed…there is something to fill the gap.”
– FlexFund Grant Recipient
Continued commitment
Our commitment to tackling social inequity remains as strong as ever. The FlexFund reflects our dedication to not only supporting those we currently fund but also adapting our practices to meet emerging needs responsibly. As we look toward 2025 and the launch of our new strategy, we remain inspired by the incredible work of our grant holders and their contributions to creating a fairer, more equitable society.
Thank you to all our grant holders for your continued, meaningful work. Together, we will continue to create better futures by elevating the impact of grassroots organisations in communities all over the UK.
Authors:
Ellen Rowland, Communications Manager
Steve Futter, Senior Grants Manager
Will Jacks, Director of Research and External Engagement