Flying the Nest: How Faith and VAWG Became A Legally-Registered Charity

We recently sat down with Huda Jawad, Executive Director of the Faith and Violence Against Women and Girls Coalition, to hear about how they transitioned from a nested organisation into an independent charity. 

Hi Huda! 👋 Can you tell me a bit about your organisation and what you work on?

Hello! I’m Huda, and I’m the Executive Director of the Faith and Violence Against Women and Girls Coalition (Faith and VAWG). 

We’re all about systems change and creating better access to support. We push for change within the systems that already exist, to help women that have experienced domestic abuse, sexual violence or gender-based violence from faith communities. 

We are a three member team. There is a Comms and Events Lead, a Membership and Strategy Lead and I am the Executive Director. But it’s a small organisation, so you know how it is… everybody does a bit of everything!

We officially became a charity on the 8th February of this year, thanks to the support of The Social Change Nest.

What support have you received from The Social Change Nest?

The coalition was something that we launched in March 2020, just before lockdown. We managed to get seed funding for three years and were nested by another organisation. We came to The Social Change Nest as we were transitioning from becoming a nested organisation into an independent charity. The team offered strategic guidance, practical advice and moral support. They helped us spell out a vision for the project and guided us through the different choices that were available to us in terms of how we wanted to operate. 

All of the help from The Social Change Nest has been so essential for my sanity and for the project to move forwards. What’s been really invaluable is knowing that expertise is at hand when I need it. The team hold space for me and others to explore options and talk through challenges. The diversity of expertise across the team are brilliant, because if someone doesn’t know something, there is someone else that will. It’s been amazing to have access to a support network of experts, and women who really get the mission and what we’re trying to do. 

What are the main challenges you face as a small organisation?

Funding! Like a lot of organisations, at the moment we’re scrambling to raise money so that we can stay afloat. It’s difficult to get funding without a year’s worth of audited accounts. Funders often want to fund charities that already have a strong base and foundation. That’s why fiscal hosting is so important. 

The other thing is that, when you’re a new organisation, you don’t have that pre-packaged organisational structure that you can just slot into. Things like health and safety policies and induction packs and all of the things that, when you work in an established organisation, already exist. It’s hard to build up those systems and structures and it takes time. And you need to make sure you’re complying with all of the right legal requirements. All whilst trying to do the work that you were originally founded to do. I like to describe it as putting the bike together whilst cycling.

What advice would you give other organisations who are just starting out?

I would say without a shadow of a doubt, find a home that allows you the freedom to experiment and organise. The Social Change Nest is an absolute gem in being that home. You aren’t restricted, there are no power dynamics… It’s just a very empowering space, where there is absolute trust and transparency and a real commitment to supporting you to get on your feet. It’s a safe place. 

What are your hopes and dreams for the future? 

In five years time, we would like to have made real impact as a movement builder in this space. We want to be at the forefront of ending violence against women and girls, very much from an intersectional, systems-change perspective. We want to develop examples of best practice for this type of work and build a legacy for how to support survivors from an intersectional feminist standpoint. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Just a huge and profound heartfelt thank you, especially to Anya, Sapna and Esther, who have been so supportive and patient with me. You’ve had a lasting legacy on me as a person, but also on this organisation. We’re very grateful for your support because we genuinely would not be here without your expertise and your holding. Thank you. 

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If you want to hear more about Faith and VAWG, visit their website here. Keen to learn more about the range of support available at The Social Change Nest? Get in touch.