# Radical funder Edge Fund raises £250k

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/07/03/radical-funder-edge-fund-raises-250k/
- Published: 2014-07-03T09:28:03+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Edge Fund, the new funder which supports grassroots groups aiming at radical social
change, has raised its first £250,000.

Set up in December 2012, its motto is ‘radical funding for radical change’, and 
it aims to support groups that are considered ‘too radical’ by most other funders.
So far it has made grants of £120,000 to groups such as Disabled People Against 
Cuts, Million Women Rise, Tottenham Rights, Lesbian Immigration Support Group, Coal
Action Network, Europe Roma Network and Residents Action on Fylde Fracking.

Even its grantmaking decision process is different to that of many traditional funders.
Funding decisions are put in the hands of “those most affected by inequality and
oppression”. It has just one part-time staff member, with the 125 Edge members running
the organisation, deciding on strategy and choosing which applications to receive
funding.

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Stephen Pittam, former trust secretary of Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and current
trustee of Global Greengrants Fund said:

> “Edge Fund is a breath of fresh air in the philanthropy sector. Engaging funders
> and activists together in deciding how to allocate funds offers a new and radical
> approach. It shows a way for how philanthropy can move beyond paternalism and 
> doing good to become a real force for social change.”

## Next funding round is open

[Edge Fund](http://www.edgefund.org.uk)‘s fourth funding round has now opened for
applications. It is offering grants of **up to £5,000** available to support work
run by – and for – communities most affected by discrimination, inequality and injustice,
and work that aims to create systemic change.

The application is straightforward, consisting of five questions, which can be answered
over the phone or by email.

The **deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 8 September 2014**.

The Fund is also seeking donations to make a fifth funding round possible.

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