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: 12
Median hours
Latest Reviews
Nov 4, 2019
applied in 2019
The process of discussing funding with Joffe is straightforward and constructive- we had several conversations and proposed what we felt would be a fit for the Trust. While we were not ultimately successful, the process itself felt collaborative and we understood what was required. The application itself was straight forward.
Pros
Insightful
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Applied and not funded
If you were funded tell us the outcome
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Joffe was always responsive and clear about what was needed.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
As far as I can tell, Joffe seems to know what it wants to do and is effective at not being pulled into work which is less strategic.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Joffe understands the value of largely unrestricted money for small organizations.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Continue to support great organizations working on transparency/accountability in South Africa.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Nov 4, 2019
applied in 2019
This is a well grounded and experienced funder that understands the challenges of those in your position. You should be prepared for some detailed questioning on strategy and finance. The funder listens well though and appears open to ideas and innovation.
Pros
Risk taker
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant currently pending
If you were funded tell us the outcome
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Average
I'm not sure but it would appear to be so.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Allows you to save time taken filling in detailed applications, and potentially being unsuccessful, by having a chat with you before inviting you to apply. The funder also appears to be down-to-earth and understands the constraints you face.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
It would be good if more funders were as approachable as this one and listened so well.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Nov 4, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
The background of the funder and their passion for civic engagement, justice, and innovation. That the funder is interested in the role of non-governmental organisations in advancing voice and accountability towards government (especially in developing countries but not exclusively).
Pros
Positive leader in the field
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?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Funder is very accessible on all platforms and sees the interlinkage of the content with process as well as with cross-pollination with similar institutions.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Very successful. The funder does see value in both the advancement of movement building to effect change but also the importance of institutional sustainability to prevent donor dependence. In both cases the funder is innovative in supporting grantees getting to these goals
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Flexibility of funding
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Keep things as they are!
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Nov 4, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
Don't be afraid to have a conversation with the foundation team at the outset - they are very approachable and will give you honest and constructive feedback
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
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?
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
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Looks to build an ecosystem of NGOs working on tax and corruption that is as impactful and coordinated 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.
Nov 4, 2019
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2018
Joffe has a clear focus on human rights and poverty reduction. They look to support small charities that they believe have the capacity to deliver effectively. They are an engaged funder.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
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?
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
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Very responsive, very clear communications and very supportive once the grant decision is approved.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
It's quite hard work for a small charity to develop a proposal and then find that funding for half or only two thirds is provided. Sometimes that means that the grant cannot be accepted because the project cannot go ahead. Small charities have fewer resources to 'fill the gaps' while seeking other funding. I would really urge funders to consider carefully what the impact might be if only a partial grant is offered.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Nov 4, 2019
applied in 2019
The process of discussing funding with Joffe is straightforward and constructive- we had several conversations and proposed what we felt would be a fit for the Trust. While we were not ultimately successful, the process itself felt collaborative and we understood what was required. The application itself was straight forward.
Pros
Insightful
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Applied and not funded
If you were funded tell us the outcome
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Joffe was always responsive and clear about what was needed.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
As far as I can tell, Joffe seems to know what it wants to do and is effective at not being pulled into work which is less strategic.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Joffe understands the value of largely unrestricted money for small organizations.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Continue to support great organizations working on transparency/accountability in South Africa.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Nov 4, 2019
applied in 2019
This is a well grounded and experienced funder that understands the challenges of those in your position. You should be prepared for some detailed questioning on strategy and finance. The funder listens well though and appears open to ideas and innovation.
Pros
Risk taker
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Understands nonprofits and issues
Openminded
Cons
Pros
Cons
What is your relationship with the funder for this experience?
Grant currently pending
If you were funded tell us the outcome
What year was this experience?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Average
I'm not sure but it would appear to be so.
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Allows you to save time taken filling in detailed applications, and potentially being unsuccessful, by having a chat with you before inviting you to apply. The funder also appears to be down-to-earth and understands the constraints you face.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
It would be good if more funders were as approachable as this one and listened so well.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Nov 4, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2019
The background of the funder and their passion for civic engagement, justice, and innovation. That the funder is interested in the role of non-governmental organisations in advancing voice and accountability towards government (especially in developing countries but not exclusively).
Pros
Positive leader in the field
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?
2019
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
Funder is very accessible on all platforms and sees the interlinkage of the content with process as well as with cross-pollination with similar institutions.
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
Very successful. The funder does see value in both the advancement of movement building to effect change but also the importance of institutional sustainability to prevent donor dependence. In both cases the funder is innovative in supporting grantees getting to these goals
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Flexibility of funding
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
Keep things as they are!
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Nov 4, 2019
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2018
Don't be afraid to have a conversation with the foundation team at the outset - they are very approachable and will give you honest and constructive feedback
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
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?
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
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Looks to build an ecosystem of NGOs working on tax and corruption that is as impactful and coordinated as possible
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Nov 4, 2019
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2018
Joffe has a clear focus on human rights and poverty reduction. They look to support small charities that they believe have the capacity to deliver effectively. They are an engaged funder.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Risk taker
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
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?
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
Tell us one thing that this funder does really well
Very responsive, very clear communications and very supportive once the grant decision is approved.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
It's quite hard work for a small charity to develop a proposal and then find that funding for half or only two thirds is provided. Sometimes that means that the grant cannot be accepted because the project cannot go ahead. Small charities have fewer resources to 'fill the gaps' while seeking other funding. I would really urge funders to consider carefully what the impact might be if only a partial grant is offered.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent