Passionate about shifting the power in funding?

Join a supportive network of funders dedicated to reshaping power dynamics, embracing uncertainty, and placing trust at the centre of community funding

What it’s all about

There’s growing recognition that traditional funding models struggle to address real-world complexity, often prioritising rigid targets over genuine impact and human connection. But shifting to more flexible approaches—rethinking risk, embracing failure as learning, and truly trusting communities—is challenging, particularly when facing institutional pressures. Without authentic change, attempts at empowering communities risk causing more harm, reinforcing old dynamics under new labels. The Losing Control in Funding network is a supportive space to explore practical ways to rebalance power, share honest experiences, and rethink accountability.

What you get

Six Action Learning Sessions: 90 minutes each, yearly—solve real challenges with peers
Safe Space: Share wins, failures, and questions with fellow grantmakers who understand
Practical Insights: Gain honest advice, real life strategies, and practical ideas
Two Seats: Bring a colleague (leader, officer, trustee) for double the insight

In their words

"The first Losing Control events had profound impacts on many of our partners and on our own organisation so we’re excited to make a long-term commitment"

"We are pleased to be a part of Losing Control, joining other people passionate about collaborating and challenging the conventions of how we get things done."

"Losing Control will support the grassroots groups of lived experience that we are working with to amplify voice whilst at the same time help our internal shift to a new way of working"

Who can join?

Open to funding organisations. Our current members include trusts, foundations and local authority grant makers who have a shared interest in how to shift power in grantmaking.

Your membership includes space for two people in your organisation. We recommend that these people represent different parts of your organisation to widen perspectives, but it is completely up to you who they are.

Membership Info

As partners, we want to run these sessions because we’re passionate about the topic of shifting power in funding, and really value the opportunity to come together and learn with you about issues that impact our wider work and social missions. We aim to cover our costs, rather than make a profit from convening the sessions.

We recommend a contribution of £600 per organisation. This will provide access for two of your team members or trustees to join all sessions spread over the 12 months.

It’s important to us that membership is accessible to all. If you are a smaller funding organisation, or have a limited budget then please let us know.

Apply now to join the network

If you’d like to become a member of the Losing Control in Funding network complete the application form below. We review applications on a regular basis and will get back to you as soon as possible.