John Lyon's charity Annual Report 2024 - Report - Page 12
HIGH-LEVEL
LESSONS LEARNED
RECOVERY FUND
We have learnt that it has been crucial to tailor
support with grantees instead of for grantees, so
that the grant (and work) is co-produced. The rich
learning on supporting organisations facing complex
challenges is now being incorporated into the Open
Grants Programme.
CULTURAL CAPITAL FUND
The demand for this fund has shown us just how
little financial support there is for Arts and cultural
activities both in and outside of school. From visits
to a museum or theatre to participating in activities
at school, such opportunities have an immediate
impact upon lives, and this is already embedded
in our Five-Year Strategy.
REPLICATION FUND
We had underestimated the need for clear
parameters about what constitutes replication,
particularly in this challenging funding environment.
To support this going forward, we will focus on
undertaking a structured review with grantees to
understand what is required before expansion or
replication is funded. Replication of services into
new areas needs to be done sensitively and with the
support of local stakeholders including the local YPF.
Duplicating existing services or seeming to exclude
local stakeholders will negatively impact on the
success of any replicated service.
YPF SMALL GRANTS FUND
As a way of reaching small grassroots charities,
there is an opportunity for us to amplify the voices
of young people much more to ensure they really
are front and centre of our grant giving.
COLLABORATION FUND
The most challenging and time consuming of all the
HSC funds, this was and is a very different way of
grant making. This has been very much a handson, learning on the job type of grant making, which
while time-intensive (for us and the grantees), is
now reaping rewards for the children and young
people involved. It is inconceivable to think that
this approach won’t filter into our Open Grants
Programme and have a big impact on the way we
make grants in the future.
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JOHN LYON’S CHARITY ANNUAL REPORT 2024
