Joffe Charitable Trust
We are a specialist grant-maker. We mainly support work to strengthen financial integrity in the UK and tackle the UK’s dirty money problem. We have a history of supporting high potential UK non-profits which make a difference in low income countries. We take an engaged approach, as a proactive funder.
Overview
Total reviews: 19
Median 11 hours
Latest Reviews
Oct 28, 2020
Other - applied in 2019
Our experience with the Joffe Charitable Trust was excellent. Following an initial LOI, we enjoyed a very informative and transparent talk with the director and formed a much better understanding of how any potential support from the Trust could magnify and strengthen our work.
A very transparent, friendly and informative process .
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant Writer
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Other
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
it is very apparent that the Joffe Trust takes its role in strengthening organisations that they support very seriously and are well aware of the nuts and bolts as well as the issues that NGOs face and the help needed and how best the Trust can fill those gaps.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
friendly, transparent, honest communication and feedback
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
keep doing what you're doing
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Oct 27, 2020
Other - applied in 2018
Joffe is very thoughtful about the whole ecosystem, understands that it can play a catalytic role in getting good ideas off the ground but don't have the scale themselves. They can help organisations demonstrate impact and then access larger grants
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Did not apply
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Other
What year was this experience?
2018
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Very open to introductions, exploratory conversations etc.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Alex has raised the profile of the organisation and sought to play a role in helping small organisations become larger than the sum of their parts.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Joffe understands that creativity happens at the edges - and supports what seem to be radical ideas with the idea of helping them become part of the 'common sense.'
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Make more connections with unusual suspects. The political landscape of left and right is shifting and we need to form coalitions across the spectrum to get things done.
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
Joffe is supportive, creative, flexible but small. I would consider them as part of a growth strategy for your idea, not a long term solution for your organisational sustainability.
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Oct 26, 2020
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2019
I think with Joffe there is a significant (and welcome) focus on collaboration and networks. They - like us - realise that you usually can't bring about positive change in isolation, so working alongside partners and identifying areas for collaboration is critical. So my advice would be to identify how you can complement the existing Joffe network.
Pros
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for lesser amount
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Identify opportunities for collaboration between grantees.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Thank you for keeping the application process flexible and not too cumbersome, administratively. The grant we received was very welcome indeed, but smaller than many others that we have received, so it is helpful to keep the administrative burden (application, reporting etc) as light as possible.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Oct 25, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
Focus not on service delivery but on what the change you want to see in the world is. Be clear about the role of your key individuals in achieving this. Give a very clear timescale for the grant (usually one year, conceivable second year extension). Explain how this fits with the wider sector.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Insightful
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2018
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
As a grantee, we find the grantgiver is very proactive in putting us in touch with others, bouncing ideas across us, and generally helping us to feel this is a genuine partnership, and not just a financial relationship. As a grantgiver, the wider support to how to run a small organisation, with ideas and contacts, is extremely valuable.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Holistic approach to development of its partners, such that the support has greater than financial value.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Consider possibility of multi-year grants but with diminishing amount, eg Year 1 full, Year 2 50%, Tear 3 25% of year 1.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Oct 25, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2013
A really committed funder, the best I've seen. Flexible, adaptive, understands real challenges of organisations and is willing to go where no other funder has gone yet. You couldn't ask for a better partner.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2013
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Very personable and empathetic with grantees.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
An extremely strategic funder, permanently reflecting on how it can occupy a catalytic place through its philanthropy. Takes risks, has a clear sight and strategic approach to what success looks like, and is not afraid of experimenting.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Strategic philanthropy at its best. Listens and adds value to grantees in the pursuit of their mission.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Influence other philanthropists to have a similar strategic and emphatic approach. "a strategic empathic funder". You are doing an amazing job.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Oct 28, 2020
Other - applied in 2019
Our experience with the Joffe Charitable Trust was excellent. Following an initial LOI, we enjoyed a very informative and transparent talk with the director and formed a much better understanding of how any potential support from the Trust could magnify and strengthen our work.
A very transparent, friendly and informative process .
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant Writer
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Other
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
it is very apparent that the Joffe Trust takes its role in strengthening organisations that they support very seriously and are well aware of the nuts and bolts as well as the issues that NGOs face and the help needed and how best the Trust can fill those gaps.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
friendly, transparent, honest communication and feedback
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
keep doing what you're doing
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Oct 27, 2020
Other - applied in 2018
Joffe is very thoughtful about the whole ecosystem, understands that it can play a catalytic role in getting good ideas off the ground but don't have the scale themselves. They can help organisations demonstrate impact and then access larger grants
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Did not apply
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Other
What year was this experience?
2018
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Very open to introductions, exploratory conversations etc.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Alex has raised the profile of the organisation and sought to play a role in helping small organisations become larger than the sum of their parts.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Joffe understands that creativity happens at the edges - and supports what seem to be radical ideas with the idea of helping them become part of the 'common sense.'
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Make more connections with unusual suspects. The political landscape of left and right is shifting and we need to form coalitions across the spectrum to get things done.
Is there anything else that's be useful for others to know to understand this funder?
Joffe is supportive, creative, flexible but small. I would consider them as part of a growth strategy for your idea, not a long term solution for your organisational sustainability.
Oct 26, 2020
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2019
I think with Joffe there is a significant (and welcome) focus on collaboration and networks. They - like us - realise that you usually can't bring about positive change in isolation, so working alongside partners and identifying areas for collaboration is critical. So my advice would be to identify how you can complement the existing Joffe network.
Pros
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for lesser amount
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Identify opportunities for collaboration between grantees.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Thank you for keeping the application process flexible and not too cumbersome, administratively. The grant we received was very welcome indeed, but smaller than many others that we have received, so it is helpful to keep the administrative burden (application, reporting etc) as light as possible.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Oct 25, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
Focus not on service delivery but on what the change you want to see in the world is. Be clear about the role of your key individuals in achieving this. Give a very clear timescale for the grant (usually one year, conceivable second year extension). Explain how this fits with the wider sector.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Insightful
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2018
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
As a grantee, we find the grantgiver is very proactive in putting us in touch with others, bouncing ideas across us, and generally helping us to feel this is a genuine partnership, and not just a financial relationship. As a grantgiver, the wider support to how to run a small organisation, with ideas and contacts, is extremely valuable.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Holistic approach to development of its partners, such that the support has greater than financial value.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Consider possibility of multi-year grants but with diminishing amount, eg Year 1 full, Year 2 50%, Tear 3 25% of year 1.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Oct 25, 2020
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2013
A really committed funder, the best I've seen. Flexible, adaptive, understands real challenges of organisations and is willing to go where no other funder has gone yet. You couldn't ask for a better partner.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Responsive
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Current or former grantee
If you were funded tell us the outcome
Funded for amount requested
What year was this experience?
2013
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Very personable and empathetic with grantees.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
An extremely strategic funder, permanently reflecting on how it can occupy a catalytic place through its philanthropy. Takes risks, has a clear sight and strategic approach to what success looks like, and is not afraid of experimenting.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Strategic philanthropy at its best. Listens and adds value to grantees in the pursuit of their mission.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Influence other philanthropists to have a similar strategic and emphatic approach. "a strategic empathic funder". You are doing an amazing job.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent