Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation is proud to be leading the foundation sector nationally, in transforming the way we distribute funding to ensure it is equitable, transparent and representative.
We believe it is imperative for philanthropy to become more diverse, inclusive, and equitable in its practices for three main reasons:
Our CEO, Fozia Irfan recently completed a Masters in Grantmaking, Philanthropy and Grantmaking with her dissertation focussed on the topic of addressing inequality. She is now leading a national movement to implement DEI frameworks in foundations in the UK through a unique ‘DEI’ coalition.
Creating a collaborative momentum which advances the work collectively rather than relying on individual efforts.
In the long term, building up a central bank of guidance, advice, and resources for other foundations in the sector to use.
Setting a precedent and sending a signal to other foundations as to the importance of this work in making us more effective grantmakers and providing tangible UK examples of implementation demonstrating success and mistakes.
Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation, The Barrow Cadbury Trust, Lloyds Bank Foundation, City Bridge Trust, The Big Lottery Fund, Children in Need, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Friends Provident Foundation, Quartet Community Foundation, Milton Keynes Community Foundation, Wiltshire Community Foundation, Surrey Community Foundation, Leeds Community Foundation, Two Ridings Community Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, Comic Relief and Lankelly Chase
We are excited at the prospect of our foundation implementing this groundbreaking work and will be posting regular updates as to progress.
For further information please contact Fozia Irfan at fozia.irfan@blcf.org.uk
“DEI work is not like an on-off light switch, it is more like a dimmer switch that you push up day after day and month after month.”
This introductory session focussed on understanding the definitions of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and discussing why this work was important for Foundations.
Unpicking the terms Equity/Equality/Inequality and understanding the picture of inequality in the UK with Fahmida Rahman from the Resolution Foundation.
Due to the Covid 19 Crisis and the rapidly changing environment in which foundations are now working, a decision was taken to focus the second session on Equity in grant funding distribution. As these sessions were run over Zoom, they have been split into three parts taking place over 3 weekly sessions’ Below main title Understanding Equity and Inequality
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Understanding the impact of Covid 19 on marginalised groups. Analysing the latest research into the disproportional impact on specific communities and discussing how foundations can provide an appropriate response
ONS Coronavirus and the social impacts on disabled people in Great Britain.
Are some ethnic groups more vulnerable to COVID-19 than others
Nusrat’s Presentation
Grantmaking Checklist
Crises Collide Women and Covid19
In this session, the coalition focused on the use and collection of data. Why is it important to collect data? What data should funders be collecting and how should it inform your strategy? The Arts Council also kindly provided us with a case study.
