Edge Fund meeting circle, courtesy of the Edge Fund website
The Edge Fund uses a highly participatory process, evolved over 6 cycles, to make small grants to radical groups that might otherwise struggle to find funding.
Like the African Rainbow Family, Manchester (who received £3,000). A group which is run by its 60 LGBTIQ asylum seekers and refugees members, with lived experiences of persecution based on their sexuality, gender identities, religion, race, ethnicity, or disability and who have experienced the most horrendous violence in their countries of origin.
£60,000 was distributed in the last round to over 40 groups, with amounts ranging in size from £500 to £3,000. Funding decisions are made collectively by their members, who cover a broad range of issues and communities and income levels. The application and decision making process is underpinned by a set of funding values.
Through members’ meetings they discuss their next steps, any issues that have arisen and decisions that need to be made, and as a group decide how to move forward. Decisions are made by consensus whenever possible, or otherwise by majority vote. Some discussions take place by email or over the phone or Skype. They also have a Facilitating Group of around 5-10 members who do the background work before meetings, to prepare proposals for members to discuss.
- Read how the Edge Fund members make decisions
- Find out what’s been funded in round 6
