Featured Collaboration: A Look Inside the New Connections Programme
In the world of social change, the organisations closest to the ground often have the deepest understanding of the challenges their communities face. Yet, they are frequently the most under-resourced. It is this paradox that the New Connections programme seeks to address.
Recognising that its traditional funding criteria, such as required annual income and governance structures, were creating barriers for newer, smaller, and historically under-funded organisations, the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation established the New Connections programme. This initiative is specifically designed to find and support organisations led by and for communities experiencing racial inequity - groups that could not, or would not, usually apply for its main funding streams.
Since 2024, the cohort of New Connections of organisations has been supported by Do it Now Now through a suite of in-person retreats focusing on wellbeing, advocacy and systems change, as well as a set of workshops and specialist-led 121s. This support has been a key component of the programme experience for the grantees. Co-designed with the grantees themselves, our goal has been to foster shared learning and to help shape Esmée's future funding practices, supporting their own objective to become more equitable and accessible funders.
This blog offers a look into the experiences of two such grantees: Tribe Arts and Passion4Fusion. Their insights shed light on the realities of seeking funding, the transformative power of trust-based philanthropy, and the vital importance of programmes that champion community-led solutions.
Tribe Arts is a dynamic arts organisation dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of Black and Asian artists. Through their work, they aim to challenge the status quo and create a more equitable and representative arts sector. We spoke with Thaj Rathore - Assistant Director, Dramaturg and anti-racist educator.
Passion4Fusion is a community-led organisation in Scotland that creates support structures to meet the various needs of diverse ethnic minority communities, particularly young people and women. Their work is deeply relational, building trust and providing holistic support to address a wide range of needs. We spoke with Helene Rodger - Project Director, trainer and facilitator.
Navigating the Funding Maze: Barriers and Breakthroughs
For many grassroots organisations, the journey to securing funding has many obstacles. Before joining the New Connections programme, both Tribe Arts and Passion4Fusion faced significant hurdles.
A major barrier for Tribe Arts was their status as a non-legally incorporated organisation, which limited the pool of potential funders. This meant that they were heavily reliant on Arts Council England project funding. Furthermore, they encountered a "lack of understanding and little commitment to the content of our work which is embedded in social justice and change". This speaks to a broader issue of funders being ill-equipped to appreciate and support work that challenges systemic inequities.
Passion4Fusion echoed these challenges, highlighting the difficulty of articulating their impact in the quantitative, metric-driven language often demanded by funders. Their work, which is "deeply relational, slow-building, and rooted in lived experience," did not easily fit into conventional funding frameworks. They also pointed to the exclusionary nature of funding networks, where opportunities often seem reserved for those "outside established networks".
The Ideal Funder: A Call for Trust and Transformation
So, what does a better funding landscape look like? Both organisations envision a shift away from transactional relationships towards genuine partnerships built on trust and a deep understanding of community needs.
For Tribe Arts, an ideal funder would be open to supporting organisations that may not have a traditional legal structure but possess a "long track record of activity". This would allow for investment in "capacity building, sustainability and project development and company growth". They also stress the importance of funders who recognise and actively address the underrepresentation of people of colour in funding circles and the subsequent impact on the "development and growth of diverse voices and expressions". Crucially, there is a need for funders to acknowledge and support the "mental and wellbeing of artists of colour," who are often left to fend for themselves when facing discrimination.
Passion4Fusion’s ideal funder is one who "understands the value of trust, flexibility, and long-term commitment". They advocate for funders who "listen first, avoid prescriptive approaches, and acknowledge that communities know best what they need". This involves a fundamental redistribution of power through practices like unrestricted funding and simplified application processes.
The Power of Focused Support: Centering Racial Equity
The New Connections programme’s specific focus on organisations led by communities experiencing racial inequity has been a game-changer for both Tribe Arts and Passion4Fusion.
Helene described the experience as "transformative," creating a "safe space to share challenges openly, without needing to justify or translate our experiences". This targeted approach "affirmed the value of our work and leadership, which is often overlooked". It has enabled them to move from a mindset of "survival to growth".
Tribe Arts found a true partner in the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the "only funder that has truly understood some of the issues faced by artists and organisations led by people of colour". This understanding, coupled with tangible resources, has empowered them to "challenge this whilst also remaining stable and continuing our work". They hope this approach will serve as a "blueprint for other funders".
More Than Money: The Value of Connection and Validation
While financial support is crucial, the non-monetary benefits of the New Connections programme have been equally significant.
For Helene, the "most valuable part has been the community". Connecting with other leaders facing similar struggles has been "both affirming and energising". The programme has nurtured not just professional development but also "personal growth in such an intentional way".
Thaj also emphasised the importance of feeling "seen, heard and understood". Simple conversations with the programme team that sought to understand their challenges and suggest solutions were incredibly impactful. This level of "security and support" was unprecedented in their experience.
Trust in Practice: A New Way of Working
The programme’s emphasis on building trusting relationships has had a tangible impact on the day-to-day work of both organisations.
For Helene, trust meant "being believed and not having to prove my worth through endless paperwork or perfectly polished narratives". The "flexibility of how to use the money" and being asked what they needed rather than being told what to do was "refreshing".
Thaj highlighted the "special assistance" from the team in navigating inequities, which "relieved some of our anxieties around how we would try to find resolve". This demonstrated a genuine "commitment from Esmée Fairbairn towards artists of colour who may be experiencing injustice in our everyday work".
Dispelling the Myths: Recognising the Power of Community-Led Organisations
A pervasive myth that both organisations are keen to dispel is the idea that smaller, community-led organisations are less serious or capable than their larger counterparts.
Thaj asserts that these organisations are "not merely clubs and associations nor are they any less serious as artists and organisations carrying out meaningful, impactful work on the communities". This damaging attitude has historically "stifled many organisations" and contributed to a decline in culturally specific arts.
Helene puts it succinctly: "What we lack isn’t capacity, we lack access. With the right support, we thrive". They argue that funders need to shift their perspective from seeing these organisations as "risky" to recognising them as "essential," particularly in underserved communities.
The experiences of Tribe Arts and Passion4Fusion within the New Connections programme offer a powerful testament to the transformative potential of funding models rooted in trust, equity, and a genuine commitment to empowering community-led change. Their stories are a call to action for the wider funding community to recognise, resource, and, most importantly, trust the organisations that are at the heart of their communities.
