Delivering evidence-based social impact
Last month we awardednearly£120,000tofourof ̽Ƶ’s grassrootscharities throughmulti-year, core grantsfromthe new Deutsche Bank Opportunity Fund,totackle the root causes of homelessness.
Deutsche Bank and ̽Ƶ (LCF) have been working in partnership for 15 years, supporting ̽Ƶ's grassroots through over 200 grants, reducing isolation and disadvantage; advancing physical and mental health; strengthening community cohesion; and most recently, supporting those affecting by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In July 2019,LCFconducted abeneficiary analysis report‘Voices from the Frontline’highlightingkey learnings for funders. Theresearch revealed a desire and need from ̽Ƶ’s small charities for support to be focused on longer term core funding alongside the project funding which they have traditionally had greater access.The research also revealed housing and homelessnessas one of the top three biggest concernsin the capitalfor charitiesover the next five years.
We also conducted interviewswith homelessnessorganisations across ̽Ƶto understand how they could best be supported by funders,with findings echoing those of the‘Voices from the Frontline’ report – the need formulti-year, core funding.
Subsequently, alongside our partners atDeutsche Bank,we were delighted to announce theDeutsche BankOpportunity Fund.The fund saw a shiftto focus on one specific issue – homelessness– whilereflectingthepriorities highlighted in the researchtoachievegreatersocialimpact.
LareenaHilton, Global Head of CSR and Brand Communications at Deutsche Bank shares:
Homelessness across the UK is a complex issue, and one that needs to be tackled at different levels. The Deutsche Bank Opportunity Fund aims to reach homeless people through a grassroots response and support small groups providing tailored support to communities most in need, which this year focuses in the borough of Newham. We are proud to support this year’s four beneficiaries of the Fund who are at the forefront of local change and making deep impact for so many individuals.
Newhamwaschosen as thegeographicfocus of the fund in this first year, in line with a report released by Shelter in November 2018,which showed that the borough has the highest rates of homelessness in the country, with 1 in 24 people being homeless [1].There are particularly high rates of insecure housing in the borough, with 4,500 households in Newham living in temporary accommodation, the highest number in ̽Ƶ [2].
Over the next two years,Round1 of theOpportunity Fundwillstrengthen organisationalresiliencewhiletargetingroot causesofhomelessness.Fromtacklingbarriers to securingprivate rentedaccommodation,supporting vulnerable femalesleaving prison,overcomingalcohol and drug misuse, and securing employment, to delivering legal supportand adviceto refugees, asylum seekers,migrants,and vulnerable families.Considering the impact of Covid-19and the disproportionateeffecton those most vulnerable,thesecommunity-ledserviceswill beneedednowmore than ever.
Congratulations to the four successful organisations:
Angie Allgood, the Chair ofNEWwayProject: “NEWwayProject applied to the DB Opportunity Fund in order to create a new job role that will plug a gap in the existing homelessness support provision in Newham and significantly boost its team’s ability to help people move on from rough sleeping. Support to secure suitable housing will have a significant, long lasting beneficial impact uponNEWwayguests’ health, wellbeing, quality of life, economic prospects, community connection, safety and self-esteem."
JamesTullet, Chief ExecutivefromRefugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and ̽Ƶ (RAMFEL):“RAMFEL are delighted to have received funding from Deutsche Bank’s Opportunity Fund. It will help some of the most vulnerable children in our society to access their right to citizenship and ensure they are not left facing destitution and uncertain futures.”
Ա¾, Founder and Director from The Magpie Project:"This funding from Deutsche Bank will help us to provide information, practical advice, and a sense of belonging to vulnerably housed women with children under five, so that they can assess the services to which they are entitled and ultimately move their life forward towards work, fulfilment and independence."
Karen Jefferys, Development Managerfrom Treasures Foundation:“Treasures is tremendously grateful for the donation from Deutsche Bank made through̽Ƶ. The world has changed significantly between when we made the application and the Covid-19 world of today, but through the needs have remained and, in many cases, come to the fore. With this grant we can continue to support vulnerable women. Thank you!”
[1] “Homelessness in Great Britain – the numbers behind the story,” Shelter, November 2018.
[2] “̽Ƶ’s Poverty Profile,” Trust for ̽Ƶ, 2017.