The Funding Network

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £500,000+ (2024, Connector Plus events alone)
• Total Raised: £20 million globally since 2002
• Charities Supported: 2,700+ since 2002
• Grant Range: £10,000 (Connector events) / £20,000 (Connector Plus)
• Decision Time: 1-2 weeks from application to notification
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Leverage Success: 60% of funded charities secure further funding

Contact Details

• Website: www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk
• Email: info@thefundingnetwork.org.uk
• Phone: 07717 524905
• Charity Number: 1088315

Overview

The Funding Network (TFN) was founded in 2002 by Frederick Mulder CBE, Polly McLean, Sue Gillie, and Paul Kelland to create a forum where individuals could join together to fund social change projects. Over the past 23 years, TFN has raised over £20 million globally for more than 2,700 small charities and non-profits through innovative live crowdfunding events. Their unique model connects member donors directly with social entrepreneurs at live or virtual events where organizations make six-minute pitches followed by auction-style pledging sessions. In 2024 alone, their Connector Plus events raised over £500,000 to support 30 small charities. The organization is led by Chief Executive Eugénie Harvey and operates throughout England and Wales, with international affiliates worldwide. TFN has appointed journalist and broadcaster Jon Snow as Patron, and actress Juliet Stevenson as Patron in 2025, reflecting their commitment to amplifying grassroots social change.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Connector Events (Standard Live Crowdfunding)

• Target: £10,000 per charity (minimum £6,000 typical at London events)
• Application Method: Rolling basis, requires TFN member sponsorship
• Format: Four organizations pitch at each 90-minute event to 70-100 donors
• Donations Range: £10 to £10,000 per donor
• Process: Online application → staff due diligence → selection panel → Zoom interviews → pitch training workshop → live event

Connector Plus (Second-Stage Strategic Funding)

• Target: £20,000 per charity
• Application Method: By invitation, member-only events
• Eligibility: Must have previously pitched successfully at a Connector event
• Purpose: Enable strategic step change in charity's work and impact
• 2024 Impact: Raised £500,000+ for 30 charities

Regional and Partner Events

• Similar format to Connector events
• May not require TFN member sponsorship
• Typically offer lower funding amounts
• Specific details vary by location and partner

Priority Areas

TFN supports non-profits driving positive change across diverse areas including:

• Human rights and social justice
• Climate change and environmental protection
• Health and wellbeing
• Education and youth development
• Inclusion and equality (including LGBTQ+ rights)
• Homelessness and poverty
• Arts and culture for social change
• Community development

Recent Funded Organizations (2023-2024): Bloody Good Period, Only A Pavement Away, Frazzled Cafe, Mazí Housing, Solutions Not Sides, Thread Ahead, Rewriting Extinction, River Action UK, 100 Black Men of London, ADHD Babes, First Give, Marie Colvin Journalists Network, Greener & Cleaner, T1International, CodeBrave, Youngwilders, Carib Eats, Boys In Mind, Hackney Playbus, among many others.

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations primarily promoting religious or political causes
• Organizations with annual turnover over £600,000
• Fundraising challenges or events
• Individual applicants (must be registered non-profits)
• Projects outside England and Wales (for UK events)

Ready to write a winning application for The Funding Network?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive

Eugénie Harvey - Leads the organization and developed the 10th Anniversary Impact Report

Senior Staff

• Rebecca Smith - Operations Director
• Sally Hoang - Finance and Grants Manager
• Inês Ribeiro - Charities Manager
• Ana Carolina Moutella - Membership Manager
• Mihaela Giurgiu - TFN International Collaborator

Board of Trustees

• Kawika Solidum (Chair) - Quote: “I believe in the power of small charities, and I will always advocate for them to have greater impact and influence.”
• Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede
• Wendy Brierley - Chartered Accountant with extensive financial services experience
• Isabel Lee - Background in law, MBA, and development management; transitioned from banking to non-profit sector
• Alan Morton - GP practicing in Inner City Hackney with interest in healthcare for diverse immigrant communities
• Anja Batista Sonksen - Private equity background, now supports young charities with finance and growth strategy

All trustees serve on a voluntary basis without remuneration.

Patrons

• Jon Snow - Journalist and broadcaster
• Juliet Stevenson - Actress (appointed 2025)

Founders (2002)

• Frederick Mulder CBE
• Polly McLean
• Sue Gillie
• Paul Kelland

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Secure Sponsorship

• Must be sponsored by a TFN member (trustee, volunteer, or supporter in non-paid role)
• New members must donate at a TFN event before they can sponsor
• Sponsors make a one-minute appeal to the audience and pledge the first £250
• Regional and partner events may not require sponsorship

Step 2: Online Application

• Complete online application form
• TFN offers opportunity to submit a draft for review and receive constructive feedback
• Include sponsor's recommendation

Step 3: Due Diligence and Selection

• TFN staff conduct due diligence
• Selection panel reviews and scores applications
• Shortlisted applicants participate in Zoom interviews (5 minutes, 1-2 questions)

Step 4: Notification

• Decision communicated within 48 hours of selection interviews
• Successful applicants notified 1-2 weeks from initial application submission

Step 5: Pre-Event Preparation

• Attend pitch training workshop (approximately 2 weeks before event)
• Workshop helps improve presentation skills for the 6-minute pitch

Step 6: Live Event

• Make 6-minute pitch to 70-100 potential donors
• Participate in live auction-style pledging session
• Duration: 90 minutes for entire event (4 organizations pitch)
• Walk away with pledged funds immediately

Decision Timeline

• Application to Shortlist Notification: Approximately 1 week
• Shortlist Interview to Final Decision: Within 48 hours
• Total Application to Decision: 1-2 weeks
• Decision to Event: Typically 2-4 weeks

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not publicly disclosed, TFN has supported 2,700+ charities since 2002. At typical London events:

• 4 organizations are selected to pitch per event
• Most achieve the minimum target of £6,000
• Many raise considerably more than the £10,000 target
• Occasionally one organization does not reach the minimum target (no guarantees)
• 60% of funded organizations leverage TFN funding to secure additional funding

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. For guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful pitch or application, contact info@thefundingnetwork.org.uk.

Application Success Factors

Key Selection Criteria

Organizational Eligibility:

• Registered non-profit (charity, CIO, CIC, or social enterprise)
• Annual turnover under £600,000
• Non-religious/non-political promotion
• Operating in England and Wales

Impact and Mission:

• Demonstrable positive change for individuals, communities, society, or environment
• Clear articulation of how funding will create strategic step change
• Alignment with TFN's focus on grassroots social change

Strategic Advice from TFN

Application Stage:

• Take advantage of TFN's offer to review drafts before final submission
• Respond promptly to feedback - TFN provides “practical and constructive feedback”
• Prepare thoroughly for the 5-minute Zoom interview

Pitch Preparation:

• Attend the mandatory pitch training workshop
• Focus on storytelling and emotional connection
• Practice the 6-minute pitch format extensively
• Prepare for the live, auction-style pledging environment

Relationship Building:

• Cultivate relationships with TFN members who could sponsor you
• Consider asking trustees, volunteers, or supporters to become members
• Engage with TFN's member community and events

Recent Success Stories

Organizations that successfully pitched include those working on:

• Period poverty (Bloody Good Period)
• Employment for ex-offenders (Only A Pavement Away)
• Mental health support (Frazzled Cafe, ADHD Babes)
• Housing and homelessness (Mazí Housing)
• Environmental action (River Action UK, Rewriting Extinction)
• Youth development (First Give, Youngwilders)
• Diversity and inclusion (100 Black Men of London, Carib Eats)

Standing Out

• Be specific about strategic impact: Connector Plus focuses on “strategic step change” - articulate exactly how funding will transform your work
• Demonstrate leverage potential: 60% of funded charities secure further funding - show how TFN support will unlock additional opportunities
• Small is powerful: TFN champions small charities under £600k turnover - emphasize your grassroots, community-led approach
• Show innovation: TFN values “solutions to social issues” - highlight what makes your approach unique
• Prepare a compelling 6-minute story: Live crowdfunding is visceral and emotional - practice storytelling that moves donors to act immediately

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Sponsorship is essential: Secure a TFN member sponsor before applying (or find a supporter willing to become a member) - this is non-negotiable for standard Connector events
• Speed matters: The application-to-decision timeline is remarkably fast (1-2 weeks), so be prepared to move quickly through each stage
• Draft feedback is available: TFN offers to review draft applications - take advantage of this unique opportunity for pre-submission guidance
• Pitch training is mandatory: Selected organizations must attend a workshop, so factor this time commitment into planning
• Live crowdfunding is high-stakes: The 6-minute pitch to 70-100 live donors requires exceptional presentation skills and emotional storytelling
• Second-stage funding exists: Successfully pitching at a Connector event opens the door to £20,000 Connector Plus opportunities for strategic growth
• 60% leverage rate: Demonstrating how TFN funding will unlock further fundraising strengthens your application and maximizes long-term impact
• Size matters: Organizations with turnover under £600,000 are the sweet spot - TFN explicitly champions small, grassroots organizations

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
• Hertfordshire Community Foundation
• The Greggs Foundation
• The Batchworth Trust
• The Royal Academy of Engineering
• National Lottery
• HELP THE HOMELESS LIMITED
• Interreg

References

1. The Funding Network official website. (2025). Homepage. Retrieved from https://www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk/
2. The Funding Network. (2025). Our application process. Retrieved from https://www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk/apply-for-funding
3. The Funding Network. (2025). Who We Are. Retrieved from https://www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk/who-we-are
4. The Funding Network. (2025). What We Do. Retrieved from https://www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk/about-us
5. The Funding Network. (2025). Connector Plus. Retrieved from https://www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk/connector-plus
6. The Funding Network. (2025). Strategic Funding Group. Retrieved from https://www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk/networks/strategic-funding-group
7. Charity Commission. (2025). The Funding Network - 1088315. Retrieved from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1088315
8. Octopus Group. (2024). We reveal the mission behind this pioneering charity. Retrieved from https://octopusgroup.com/insights/funding-network-live-crowdfunding/
9. Design Club. (2024). Our experience of fundraising through The Funding Network. Medium. Retrieved from https://medium.com/design-club/our-experience-of-fundraising-through-the-funding-network-e29f1a43b22b
10. 360Giving GrantNav. (2025). The Funding Network grants data. Retrieved from https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/org/360G-TheFundingNetwork

All sources.