Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

⚖️ We need better data to understand bias and inequity in funding

The DEI Data Group have published a new report with research from the VCSE Observatory bringing together the findings from three years of operation of the DEI Data Standard.

📄 Read now: londonfunders.org.uk/latest/news/...

We’re delighted to announce that we have secured funding from @esmeefairbairn.bsky.social to expand our FreshWater Watch programme!

💧Over 3 years we’ll boost training, resources & support for our citizen science groups - turning data into action! Join us to support the fight for clean freshwater.

🚀 The 2026 Charity Digital Skills Report survey is live!

We’re proud to be partnering on this year’s report to better understand what digital and AI adoption really looks like across UK charities.

Take the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDSR2026

#CharityDigiReport

What are the capacity building needs of organisations we fund? 💭

Last year, we surveyed organisations we fund about their capacity building support needs and experiences of 'beyond funding' support.

➡️ Find out more: esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...

🗣️ We'd love to know what you think!

Our latest newsletter of the year is out 🚀 featuring:

🌍 Overview of 2025 and actions we've taken towards climate and DEI
🎙️ Podcast about the development of our IYPC
🩷💙 Blog on LGBT History Month
💻 Recent webinars

Read now: esmeefairbairnfoundation.createsend1.com/t/t-e-wjyyht...

In a new blog, Tom Cowie from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation reflects on how trans and non-binary communities are building joy and connection through challenging times.

👉 Read more: esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...

🚨 Applications are now open for
@sounddeliverymedia.bsky.social's Spokesperson Leadership Programme.

They're looking for 14 grassroots leaders with lived experience of social injustice for the free 7-month programme.

⏰ Deadline: 20 March, 12pm

Apply now: www.sounddelivery.org.uk/spokesperson...

🎙️ Creating the Involving Young People Collective 🎙️

A new episode of the HUDL Up podcast explores the story behind the Involving Young People Collective (IYPC) - how it started, why it matters, and its impact on Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

🎧 Listen here: hudlup.podbean.com/e/from-conce...

Contact responds to Government’s £4 billion SEND investment Contact welcomes the government’s £4 billion investment over three years to make mainstream schools more inclusive and reduce the adversarial battles families face. If backed by a clear legal guarantee of support for every child with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), this funding has the potential to improve the system significantly. Anna Bird, CEO […]

Contact responds to Government’s £4 billion SEND investment. Read in more detail here 👇

Who is our funding reaching 🔎

See our 2025 analysis of diversity data gathered from organisations we fund along with info on geographic area and governance structure.

We use the data to track progress and identify actions we can take to improve our practice.

esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...

🌍Actions we’ve taken towards our commitment to address climate change

As a signatory of the Funder Commitment on Climate Change, we recognise that climate change is a critical risk to achieving our charitable goals.

📖 Read the full 2025 update here: esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...

Diversity, equity, and inclusion: progress in 2025 A summary of key actions we have taken during 2025 to make progress on our cross-cutting commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. They are listed under the relevant pillar in ACF’s Stronger Fou...

At Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, #DEI shapes how we work & fund. Highlights from 2025 include 25.5% of grants to racially-led orgs, wellbeing awards, staff DEI training & reviews of racial & gender justice work.

Read the full update: esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...

🌱 New blog: Delivering effective conservation practice – the role of funders

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Environmental Funders Network share key takeaways from the Cambridge conference on how funders can strengthen evidence-based conservation.

Read more: www.greenfunders.org/blog/deliver...

Our Pre-application Q&A webinar held on 5 February is now live to watch. If you’re considering applying to Esmée and want clarity on our funding priorities, guidance, and process, this session's designed to help you decide whether it’s the right fit.

Watch now: esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...

The RACE Report 2025: Reflections from Esmée The annual RACE (Racial Action for the Climate Emergency) Report shares findings on the racial diversity of environment organisations and funders. We share our reflections on the findings as well as o...

Read our reflections on the 2025 Race Report and its findings on the racial diversity of environment organisations and funders 💭: esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...

☑️ Find out how to take part in the 2026 RACE Report: www.race-report.uk/participate

First citizen-mandated cultural plan The Citizens’ Cultural Plan for the West of England is the first to be shaped by residents. It was supported by the UK Branch.

The Citizens' Cultural Plan is the first of its kind, with recommendations from public spaces to creative education proposed through a citizens assembly.

Read about our involvement and next steps to test the ideas with support from @esmeefairbairn.bsky.social

gulbenkian.pt/uk-branch/ne...

Reimagining leadership in the environment sector webinar, 29 January Watch a webinar we held on 29 January 2026 with Common Purpose and Makani Cambridge, who have been leading work to reimagine leadership in the environment sector and promote a more diverse and equitab...

🎥 Watch on demand: Reimagining leadership in the environment sector

In January, we explored how leadership in the environment sector can become more diverse, equitable, and representative.

👉 Watch now: esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...

#CommonPurpose #MakaniCambridge

We’re supporting the March 2026 Digital Trustees Cohort, helping charities and social enterprises we fund strengthen digital leadership at board level - from AI and data to long-term tech strategy. 🚀

Find out more and apply now: thirdsectorlab.co.uk/digital-trus...

A graphic of loudspeakers, with the text: 'HAVE YOUR SAY! Help us build the AI support you need - please take ten minutes to complete the anonymous survey. All responses anonymous. Closes in February 2026'

Please share your AI views & needs!

We’re gathering your AI needs so we can shape support for the year ahead.

Your feedback has already led to our AI courses, experiments library & resource hub: help us build what comes next.

Please take 10 mins to complete the anonymous survey 👉 buff.ly/fsvJaZr

New polling among our members shows that farmers growing non-cereal crops are seeing real benefits: healthier soils, more resilient farm businesses and more diverse income streams. But many farmers face practical barriers that make it hard to take the leap.🥕🫘

👉 www.nffn.org.uk/news/growing...

IVAR is the Institute for Voluntary Action Research. The survey takes 10 to 15 minutes to respond and is anonymous.

The findings will be used to help improve funder practice via IVAR's Open and Trusting grantmaking initiative.

📅 The survey closes on 1 March

Share your experiences of applying for and receiving funding over the last year 🗣️

IVAR wants to hear from organisations about their experiences of independent grantmakers: what's helping and what could be better?

➡️ Share your views in their survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FundingExp...

Our January newsletter is out 🚀

📊 Overview of our 2025 grants and application stats
⁉️ Pre-application Q&A webinar
🎧 Climate impact investing with podcast
💡 Reimagining leadership in the environment sector webinar

Plus more 👉https://esmeefairbairnfoundation.cmail19.com/t/t-e-wlulttd-ekikidujr-ti/

Overview of grant funding 2025 Overview of the grants we made in 2025, broken down by type of support, amount awarded, and by aim and funding priority. We also share success rates for applications in 2025.

You can also find links to funding lists in each of our 13 funding priorities so you can explore our grants 🔎

esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...

In 2025, we made 241 main grants totalling £49.3m.

📊 See a breakdown by funding aim and priority, type of support, amount awarded, and length of term. You can also see success rates for applications at each stage of our application process: esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...

Proud to join @thedifferenceed.bsky.social, @impetus.org.uk, and the growing list of schools and trusts backing #InclusionForAll. Looking forward to joining Inclusion for All supporters at #IncludEd2026.

Find out more and book your tickets for the event now: the-difference.com/included-2026/

Updates to Esmée’s Board of Trustees We welcome Harriet Manners, the great-granddaughter of Esmée's founder, Ian Fairbairn, as Trustee. We also share updates including the appointment of Professor Claire Alexander as Vice Chair of the Ba...

We also thank John Fairbairn and Eleanor Updale as they step down, with gratitude for their years of service.

Find out more: esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...

Updates to Esmée’s Board of Trustees 💫

A warm welcome to Harriet Manners, great-granddaughter of founder Ian Fairbairn, as Trustee from Jan 2026, and congratulations to Prof. Claire Alexander on becoming Vice Chair.

One week. Two reports.

Again, showing that the care system is failing - and it's children and young people paying the price.

But this can be fixed. We need a national strategy to create the right homes where children can grow and feel safe.

Read the full article: https://loom.ly/DrIHAzg

In a guest blog, Azzam Al Kassir (Makani Cambridge) reflects on a year-long collaboration with @CommonPurpose to co-design a leadership programme that goes beyond individual development and tackles the systems that shape who holds power.

📖 Read more: esmeefairbairn.org.uk/latest-news/...