Steve Morgan Foundation
The Steve Morgan Foundation is passionately committed to changing lives for good, by working with partners that make a positive difference to those in need. Founded in 2001 by businessman and philanthropist, Steve Morgan CBE, we provide funding, support, expertise and best practice to the charities and organisations we support. By harnessing the power of working together, we address a range of areas including poverty, homelessness, health and wellbeing, and education and training, and have helped to improve the quality of life for more than 3 million people.
Overview
Total reviews: 54
Median 5.5 hours
Latest Reviews
Feb 6, 2025
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2025
Ensure that you ask for a realistic sum and provide clear picture of the outcomes and benefits to service users and all stakeholders. Steve Morgan are very thorough but also very fair.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
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?
2025
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
communicates well once you are through the first stage
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
you need to be adding a lot of value locally and have a grassroots approach
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Jan 31, 2025
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2025
Research the trustees.
Pros
Friendly
Likes site visits
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?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Average
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Jan 17, 2025
Funded for greater amount - applied in 2024
Ensure you have read their thorough guidelines and you clearly follow what has been requested.
Pros
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
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 greater amount
What year was this experience?
2024
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
I understand it is currently challenging across the sector and funding demand is greater than ever but the fact the team made time to answer calls/emails and give guidance meant the time our charity invested was worth while.
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
The process was very thorough and communication was excellent, keeping us updated after the application was submitted. Ruth was an absolute joy to work with, she was very transparent throughout, discussed options which led to a larger grant than expected and next steps were always made clear. [Name] felt like one of our team by the end! Her efforts in getting to know our charity and meeting our service team was recognised across the organisation and by myself. We're very excited about this partnership and hope we meet their expectations as they have excelled ours!
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 - you're listening and responding to what is needed!
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Jan 10, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2024
The application process is very thorough, from start to finish
This was not just a matter of completing an online application and waiting for a response. The grants manager took time to understand our work and charity mission and how that fits in with the commitment of the Steve Morgan Foundation, to changing lives for good.
It really helped us as an organisation applying for funding to talk through our work, to drill down into what we most needed funding for and how this fits in with the bigger picture of our fundraising strategy. This enabled us to focus and present the best business case for funding possible.
There was a genuine interest in our work and how funding from SMF would support and enhance that
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Insightful
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
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?
2024
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
It was always easy to get in touch, however understandably the volume of applications received made the process longer than we had first anticipated. However, we were updated whenever we made contact.
The online application was a little challenging but that was an operating system issues rather than a design fault with the form
We were able to describe our organisation fully
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
Builds a relationship with the organisation making an application, offers feedback and support.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
I think the experience of Steve Morgan Foundation and their knowledge of the location and community need, is expressed throughout the application process and in their commitment to building partnerships with community organisations.
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 13, 2024
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2024
Familiarise with the new online process for applying for funding. Not to be afraid to ask questions. Expect at least one visit to discuss the application. Demonstrate the impact the project will make and be able to outline their current financial position.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
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?
2024
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
The Steve Morgan Foundation demonstrates a deep understanding of the social value that local projects contribute. They recognise the challenges faced by charities and provide encouragement that inspires perseverance. This support helps charities feel appreciated and proud of their accomplishments.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
To offer longer term funding options .
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
If you believe the contents of this review are inappropriate please contact us via email.
Feb 6, 2025
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2025
Ensure that you ask for a realistic sum and provide clear picture of the outcomes and benefits to service users and all stakeholders. Steve Morgan are very thorough but also very fair.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
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?
2025
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
communicates well once you are through the first stage
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
you need to be adding a lot of value locally and have a grassroots approach
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Jan 31, 2025
Funded for lesser amount - applied in 2025
Research the trustees.
Pros
Friendly
Likes site visits
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?
2025
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
How successfully do you think this funder is accomplishing its goals as a funder?
Excellent
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Average
Jan 17, 2025
Funded for greater amount - applied in 2024
Ensure you have read their thorough guidelines and you clearly follow what has been requested.
Pros
Gives more than money
Culturally sensitive
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
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 greater amount
What year was this experience?
2024
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
I understand it is currently challenging across the sector and funding demand is greater than ever but the fact the team made time to answer calls/emails and give guidance meant the time our charity invested was worth while.
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
The process was very thorough and communication was excellent, keeping us updated after the application was submitted. Ruth was an absolute joy to work with, she was very transparent throughout, discussed options which led to a larger grant than expected and next steps were always made clear. [Name] felt like one of our team by the end! Her efforts in getting to know our charity and meeting our service team was recognised across the organisation and by myself. We're very excited about this partnership and hope we meet their expectations as they have excelled ours!
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 - you're listening and responding to what is needed!
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Jan 10, 2025
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2024
The application process is very thorough, from start to finish
This was not just a matter of completing an online application and waiting for a response. The grants manager took time to understand our work and charity mission and how that fits in with the commitment of the Steve Morgan Foundation, to changing lives for good.
It really helped us as an organisation applying for funding to talk through our work, to drill down into what we most needed funding for and how this fits in with the bigger picture of our fundraising strategy. This enabled us to focus and present the best business case for funding possible.
There was a genuine interest in our work and how funding from SMF would support and enhance that
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Insightful
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
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?
2024
How would you rate this funder's accessibility?
Excellent
It was always easy to get in touch, however understandably the volume of applications received made the process longer than we had first anticipated. However, we were updated whenever we made contact. The online application was a little challenging but that was an operating system issues rather than a design fault with the form We were able to describe our organisation fully
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
Builds a relationship with the organisation making an application, offers feedback and support.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
I think the experience of Steve Morgan Foundation and their knowledge of the location and community need, is expressed throughout the application process and in their commitment to building partnerships with community organisations.
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent
Nov 13, 2024
Funded for amount requested - applied in 2024
Familiarise with the new online process for applying for funding. Not to be afraid to ask questions. Expect at least one visit to discuss the application. Demonstrate the impact the project will make and be able to outline their current financial position.
Pros
Positive leader in the field
Gives more than money
Insightful
Friendly
Builds relationships
Likes site visits
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?
2024
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
The Steve Morgan Foundation demonstrates a deep understanding of the social value that local projects contribute. They recognise the challenges faced by charities and provide encouragement that inspires perseverance. This support helps charities feel appreciated and proud of their accomplishments.
If you had one piece of advice to give to this funder (about grantmaking or anything else), what would it be?
To offer longer term funding options .
How was your relationship overall with the funder?
Excellent