
Our commitment to supporting local charities
29th January 2025
At a prestigious event marking the 35th anniversary of the Cranfield Trust, our CEO, Caroline Taylor, delivered a compelling speech on the critical role of small charities and the need for sustained support. The event, held at Mercers’ Hall in London, was attended by HRH The Princess Royal, who founded the Trust in 1988 to encourage skilled professionals to support the voluntary sector.
The challenges facing small charities
In her address, Caroline emphasised the unique position of small charities in responding to social issues.
She said, “Through our work, we know that smaller charities are deeply connected to social issues. They see firsthand how policy and politics impact the communities they serve and are uniquely able to respond to immediate and emerging needs.”
However, she also highlighted the significant challenges these organisations face, including rising demand, complex needs, and financial instability.
“Many charities are trapped in a relentless cycle of short-term funding, leaving little room to plan, innovate, or collaborate. Burnout in teams is growing, and recruiting and retaining skilled staff and volunteers has become increasingly difficult.”
Essex Community Foundation’s commitment
Caroline reaffirmed our dedication to supporting small charities in meaningful ways:
“We believe that a key role for us in Essex is to offer hope and some positivity in the face of the very real challenges that charities face every day. An advocate, if you will, that helps charities find solutions and a way through.”
This commitment has led to impactful initiatives such as multi-year, core-cost grants and simplified application processes to ease administrative burdens. She also highlighted the Foundation’s Thrive Programme, a partnership with Cranfield Trust, which provides charities with leadership development, mentoring, and tailored action plans.
“Since its launch in 2019, 53 organizations have participated in our Thrive Programme, becoming stronger and more effective in their work.”
The role of funders and advocates
In her presentation, Caroline called on the wider foundation sector to take bold steps to support small charities:
“Across the foundation sector, there are brilliant initiatives to improve grant-making practices. At Friends Provident Foundation, the CEO has worked with others to develop the Foundation Practice Rating, which encourages better diversity, accountability, and transparency.”
She also emphasised the importance of funders taking risks and championing small charities:
“Smaller charities often have brilliant ideas but lack the capacity to test them. Grant funders must take more risks and not play it safe.”
A shared responsibility
In closing, Caroline underscored the collective responsibility to ensure small charities continue to thrive. She said, “The strength of small charities lies in their deep community connections. Our role, as funders and advocates, is to ensure that our resources and structures are relevant and proportionate to enable them to continue delivering effectively.”
Her speech resonated with attendees, reinforcing the need for sustained commitment and innovation in supporting the voluntary sector. ECF remains steadfast in its mission to empower small charities and drive positive change across Essex and beyond.