Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Applicant Perception Research 2024

2024 applicant research Summary

report

Rosie Burrells, Sarah Nathan and Tim Harrison-Byrne

May 2024

About this research

Online survey of fundees and unsuccessful applicants

29th January – 26th February 2024

Fundees

699 191 27%

Emails sent Responses Response rate

Unsuccessful applicants

1,765 258 15% Emails sent Responses Response rate

Benchmarking

We have included a ‘benchmark average’ on some slides. This is based on comparable research conducted with the following funding organisations since 2013:

• A B Charitable Trust

• BBC Children in Need

• The Clothworkers’ Foundation

• Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland

• Cumbria Community Foundation

• Garfield Weston Foundation

• The Henry Smith Charity

• John Ellerman Foundation

• Lloyds Bank Foundation

• Nominet Trust

• People’s Postcode lottery

• Pilgrim Trust

• The Road Safety Trust

• Tudor Trust

• The Wolfson Foundation

• The sample size of the benchmark is approximately 13,000 applicants, although this varies according to the question asked

I. The landscape for applicants

II. Personality and values

III. Relationship with fundees

IV. Application process (including perceived barriers)

V. Feedback and clarity on rejection

VI. Actions on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Summary of key findings

• The landscape for applicants: applicants are operating in a tough environment, battling the challenges of increased demand and greater financial instability. Nevertheless, they remain incredibly resilient, with a strong majority feeling they are making more progress towards their aims compared to 12 months ago.

• Personality and values: applicants see Esmée as a forward-thinking, innovative, ambitious and knowledgeable funder. Fundees understand Esmée well, while unsuccessful applicants are more likely to recognise Esmée’s organisational value of ‘working together’ compared to in 2021.

• Relationships with fundees: Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has continued its strong performance with fundees on relational metrics such as approachability, understanding and treating fundees as partners. There is also clear appetite from fundees to connect them with other organisations in the Esmée network.

• The application process: there has been clear improvement in perceptions of the reasonableness of Esmée’s application process when compared to 2021. This is likely driven by changes to the Expression of Interest (EOI), with both fundees and unsuccessful applicants feeling that the ease and duration of the process has improved significantly.

• Barriers encountered by applicants: less positively, the percentage of applicants who feel they have encountered barriers to accessing funding from Esmée has increased. Unsuccessful applicants cite a range of reasons, but most commonly they feel that without an existing connection, the door to Esmée’s network is shut for them.

• Feedback and clarity on rejection: while more unsuccessful applicants say they are receiving feedback compared to 2021, they are more likely to find it unhelpful than helpful. Unsuccessful applicants are particularly frustrated by not knowing the specifics of the reason for their rejection. This often leaves them guessing and could be connected to the increase in perceived barriers to accessing funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

• Actions on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: around two-thirds of fundees and half of unsuccessful applicants are aware of Esmée’s actions on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Generally, applicants think Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is showing great leadership in this important area; they want the Foundation to keep seeking to learn from underrepresented groups and continue sharing updates on the actions it is taking.

The landscape for applicants

Applicants are operating in a tough environment, battling the challenges of increased demand and greater financial instability. Nevertheless, they remain incredibly resilient, with a strong majority feeling they are making more progress towards their aims compared to 12 months ago.

Broadly speaking, fundees are in a stronger position than unsuccessful applicants

Question asked:

"Esmée Fairbairn Foundation wants to understand more about the context within which you are operating –what are your priorities and challenges? The next question asks about your organisation’s experiences during the past 12 months. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?" Strongly agree + Agree

Demand for our services has increased in the last 12 months

We're making more progress towards our aims than we were 12 months ago

We have been less able to meet our reserves policy during the last 12 months

We have found it harder to recruit and retain staff during the last 12 months

The financial stability of our organisation is stronger now than it was 12 months ago

Our staff team has reduced over the last 12 months

Our charity is at greater risk of closure compared to 12 months ago

Personality and values

Applicants see Esmée as a forwardthinking, innovative, ambitious and knowledgeable funder. Fundees understand Esmée well, while unsuccessful applicants are more likely to recognise Esmée’s organisational value of ‘working together’ compared to in 2021.

Fundees know Esmée’s values,

while unsuccessful applicants are more likely to see it as collaborative compared to 2021

Question asked:

"To what extent do you associate the following values with Esmée Fairbairn Foundation?" Strongly associate + Somewhat associate

Fundees

Has integrity - acts with honesty, transparency and accountability

Unsuccessful applicants

Has integrity - acts with honesty, transparency and accountability

Is kind - shows empathy and consideration in how they treat people

Works together - shows respect, empathy and humility in collaborating with others

Is ambitious - uses the opportunity of their endowment to be bold, proactive, and take risks

Is equitable - strives for fair opportunities and outcomes for the people they work with

Is kind - shows empathy and consideration in how they treat people

Works together - shows respect, empathy and humility in collaborating with others

Is ambitious - uses the opportunity of their endowment to be bold, proactive, and take risks

Is equitable - strives for fair opportunities and outcomes for the people they work with

Relationship with fundees

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has continued its strong performance with fundees on relational metrics such as approachability, understanding and treating fundees as partners. There is also clear appetite from fundees to connect them with other organisations in the Esmée network.

Esmée outperforms the benchmark in many areas for fundees – most notably understanding

them and appropriate monitoring

Question asked:

"When you think about your experience of applying for and getting funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, how would you say they compare with other grantmakers?" Much better + Better

Fundees

are open to being connected with other organisations; they’d be most likely to meet with those doing similar work

Question asked:

"If Esmée Fairbairn Foundation were to connect you to other funded organisations, how likely are you to make time to meet with them?" Organisations...

Source: Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

The application process

There has been clear improvement in perceptions of the reasonableness of Esmée's application process when compared to 2021. This is likely driven by changes to the Expression of Interest (EOI), with both fundees and unsuccessful applicants feeling that the ease and duration of the application process has improved significantly.

Fundees feel the ease and duration of the application process has improved significantly since 2021

Question asked:

"When you think about your experience of applying for and getting funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, how would you say they compare with other grantmakers?" Much better + Better

Approachability of Esmée Fairbairn Foundation overall

Understanding us as fundees

The ease of the application process

Information about funding and application process Treating us as partners

How long it takes to make an application The speed of decision

Unsuccessful applicants also feel the ease and duration of the application process has improved significantly since 2021

Question asked:

"When you think about your experience of applying for and NOT getting funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, how would you say they compare with other grant-makers?" Much better + Better

Perceptions of the reasonableness of the application process are broadly

in line with the

benchmark average

Question asked: "How reasonable did the application process feel for the amount of funding you were applying for?"

Changes to the Expression of Interest (EOI) look to have made a real difference to perceptions of the application process)

Question asked: "How reasonable did the application process feel for the amount of funding you were applying for?" By survey link

Barriers encountered by applicants

Less positively, the percentage of applicants who feel they have encountered barriers to accessing funding from Esmée has increased. Unsuccessful applicants cite a range of reasons, but most commonly they feel that without an existing connection, the door to Esmée’s network is shut for them.

An increased proportion of unsuccessful applicants feel they encountered barriers compared to 2021

Fundees

Question asked: "Would you say that your organisation has experienced any barriers to accessing funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation?"

Would you say that your organisation has experienced any barriers to accessing funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation?

Answered Yes

Common themes

• No prior connection – can’t get into Esmée's existing network

• Limited dialogue – no means to seek advice during application / lack of useful feedback

• Lack of fundraising capacity / resources at our organisation

• Restrictiveness of DEI criteria – hard to convey complexity / nuances / multiple lived experiences

• We have been unsuccessful several times

• Geography – our work is limited to a particular area / Esmée are not in close proximity to us

• We’re not a good fit for Esmée's strategy / we are not seen as innovative enough

• Esmée doesn’t understand our sector / doesn’t want to fund our work

“The majority of orgs I know who have Esmée funding have personal connections with staff.” Unsuccessful applicant

“We don't know anyone who can help us get in the door.” Unsuccessful applicant

“No assistance from a grants officer at application stage and no feedback after decision.” Unsuccessful applicant

“All forms of fundraising take up considerable capacity - small organisations like the one I work for will always face this barrier compared to larger organisations such as those who have dedicated fundraising staff/teams.” Unsuccessful applicant

“No conversation about the complexities and nuances of our approach to DEI and how we ensure we are representative of the people we work with based on their defining characteristics.” Unsuccessful applicant

Feedback and clarity on rejection

While more unsuccessful applicants say they are receiving feedback compared to 2021, they are more likely to find it unhelpful than helpful. Unsuccessful applicants are particularly frustrated by not knowing the specifics of the reason for their rejection. This often leaves them guessing and could be connected to the increase in perceived barriers to accessing funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Unsuccessful applicants are less clear on the reason for their rejection compared to the benchmark average

Question asked: "How clear was it why Esmée Fairbairn Foundation declined your application?"

Although more unsuccessful applicants

are now receiving

they are much more likely to find it unhelpful than helpful

feedback,

Question asked: "Did you receive any feedback on why your proposal was unsuccessful?"

‘Yes and it was useful’ up from 17% & ‘Yes but it wasn’t very useful’ up from 26% in 2021

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Benchmark Average

What unsuccessful applicants said on the topic of feedback

Yes I received feedback but it wasn’t very useful:

• Generic rejection that lacked specific details; it didn’t feel like it applied to us

• High volume of applications is not a helpful reason

• Sometimes terminology felt unclear / jargon-like, e.g. ‘driving change’, ‘breaking new ground’

• It felt a bit cryptic; it left me guessing

• Told we didn’t meet strategic aims but we need more detail; we think we are a good fit

• Some reports of contradictory information received at different stages of the process

• We want to know whether it’s worth trying again / how to make a better application

Yes I received feedback and I found it useful:

• Signposting to other funding sources was useful

• Good experience speaking to a member of staff after being rejected

• The feedback wasn’t what we wanted to hear but it allowed us to move forward

• It was polite and to the point

General comments on what useful feedback looks like:

• Specific on the criteria we didn’t meet

• Recommends how we could be successful (if this is indeed the case)

• Show us how we scored / where we were weaker or stronger against other applicants

• Share examples of successful bids

• Be honest with us

Actions on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Around two-thirds of fundees and half of unsuccessful applicants are aware of Esmée’s actions on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Generally, applicants think Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is showing great leadership in this important area; they want the Foundation to keep seeking to learn from underrepresented groups and continue sharing updates on the actions it is taking.

Two-thirds of fundees and half of unsuccessful applicants are aware of Esmée’s actions on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Question asked: "Are you aware of the actions Esmée Fairbairn Foundation are taking on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)?"

Do you have any comments on Esmée’s work on DEI? (E.g., what they're doing well, or what could be improved)

Common themes

• This work is inspiring, encouraging and timely – keep it up

• Esmée is leading the way on DEI – great to see it is a priority for the Foundation

• Would like to hear more about it – more frequent updates on actions being taken

• Keen to see more sharing / dissection of the data Esmée collects

• Difficult to capture intersectionality and diversity of experience within the current criteria

• Particularly relevant to those in the environment sector

• Think about ways you could better support those with lived experience during the application process

“It has been a key catalyst for our own work in this space, it is inspiring and encouraging.” Fundee

“They are ahead in their thinking. Lots of orgs playing catch up and ticking boxes.” Fundee

“DEI feels engrained in Esmée's work and funding streams, rather than an add on.” Fundee

“Very comprehensive and interesting, especially the DEI assessment of grantmaking. Although your web page on progress to date could do with an update.” Unsuccessful applicant

“I think this is an agenda important to the whole sector and it is important for the Foundation to show leadership. It would be good for them to find a way for organisations to put in their own words how DEI is central to their own work so that it is authentic and relevant and that all aspects of inclusion are considered.” Unsuccessful applicant