Edge Fund opens for applications again
Howard Lake | 18 September 2013 | News
Edge Fund, the member-run fund that supports radical causes, has opened its third round of funding. It is offering grants of up to £5,000 to support work that aims to bring about a just and equal world.
Edge Fund launched in December 2012 and has so far distributed £80,000 to 58 small, grassroots groups.
Two funding streams
The Fund offers two overlapping funding streams:
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- groups run by and for communities most affected by inequality and injustice
- radical campaign groups working to create systemic change.
The Fund has noticed that, based on the 550 applications received from UK groups so far, there is a greater need for support for the grassroots.
Member-run grantmaking
From its foundation, Edge Fund aims to run on a democratic and accountable model of grantmaking in which grantmaking decisions are put into the hands of those affected by them.
It has just one member of staff, but its 108 members run the organisation. They decide the strategy of the fund, and which applications should receive funding. Applicants themselves are invited to become involved in the latter stages in the allocation of grants.
Who are Edge Fund members?
Members come from many different backgrounds, including both those who give money and those who hope to receive funds for their work.
Nearly half of them came together recently at events held in Manchester and London.
One member explains the attraction of the Edge Fund/ "I've been a fundraiser for 15 years", she said, "and this is the most exciting form of fundraising for grassroots organisations I've ever seen, shifting power from the donor/grant maker to the receivers, whilst creating a supportive network of progressive groups and organisations. I feel part of something truly radical and democratic".
Grant application deadline
The deadline for applications is 5pm on 14 October 2013.
The application consists of five questions which can be answered over the phone or by email.
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.