Running a charity is both rewarding and demanding. That’s why we’re committed to supporting our grantees far beyond funding alone. Since 2020, we’ve partnered with Cranfield Trust to provide tailored, hands-on support to the organisations we fund. Building on this, we launched the Spark Programme in 2021—an initiative designed to help charities grow stronger, more resilient, and more impactful.

Through Spark, grantees receive free consultancy and mentoring throughout their funding period. This support helps organisations sharpen their leadership, strengthen their strategy, and improve day-to-day operations—laying the foundations for sustainable growth and greater impact.

Through Spark, grantees receive free consultancy and mentoring throughout their funding period. This support helps organisations sharpen their leadership, strengthen their strategy, and improve day-to-day operations—laying the foundations for sustainable growth and greater impact.

To date, over 40 charities have benefited from the programme. Here’s what some of them have to say:

“We hope to reap the benefits of this support as our corporate fundraising goes from strength to strength. If successful, we’ll be able to support even more women in the future.”

Anawim – Fundraising Strategy

“With our Marketing and Communications Plan nearly complete, we’re in a brilliant position to move forward with clarity and a shared sense of purpose.”
Abianda – Marketing & Communications Plan

“The support from our volunteer consultant has been a godsend—providing direction that’s helping us build sustainable income and financial security.”
Stepping Stone – Marketing & Communications Strategy

Peer-to-Peer Exchanges

Alongside expert consultancy and mentoring, Spark grantees take part in Peer-to-Peer Exchanges—structured, confidential sessions that bring organisations together. These sessions create a safe and supportive space where leaders can:

• Share challenges openly
• Learn from one another’s experiences
• Build lasting, supportive relationships

Participants consistently highlight the transformative impact of these exchanges:

“It’s improved my listening skills and how I give feedback—not just for me, but for my organisation too.”

“As a new manager, it’s reassuring to know others face the same challenges. It’s inspired me to aim for a CEO role in the future.”

“You can come in feeling low and leave feeling motivated, empowered, and ready to take on anything.”

“There’s a real sense of trust—it’s a safe space where your thoughts and feelings are validated.”

“The conversations have been rich and meaningful. I’ve learned new approaches that have genuinely changed how I lead.”

Spark Ignite

Building on the success of Spark, we’re excited to introduce Spark Ignite—an expansion of the programme designed to reach even more charities. Spark Ignite will support organisations working with women and girls affected by the criminal justice system, and open up access to Cranfield Trust’s expertise to a wider group.

Through Spark Ignite, charities will benefit from:

• A series of four interactive learning webinars open to all existing grant recipients, as well as charities that applied to a recent smaller grants fund, covering key leadership and organisational topics
• Access to an exclusive online toolkit accessible to all existing grant recipients, as well as every charity that applied to a recent smaller grants fund. Packed with practical resources and recordings
• An additional Peer-to-Peer group for all newly awarded, smaller grant recipients, with specific reference to those working towards a quality mark
• Additional 1:1 guidance sessions for all newly awarded, smaller grant recipients, including a Journey to Excellence Diagnostic with an experienced Cranfield Trust Regional Manager

The Journey to Excellence Diagnostic is a practical framework that helps organisations assess their strengths and priorities across leadership, governance, strategy, and operations—giving leaders clear direction on where to focus for maximum impact and sustainability.

We’re proud to be expanding Spark through Ignite, and we look forward to supporting even more charities—helping unlock the skills, talent, and potential of leaders across the sector.

This provides free consultancy and mentoring support to grantees during their funding period to help support long-term growth and resilience. All grantees also participate in Peer2Peer Exchanges with other groups of grantees which provide opportunities to learn from each other and hopefully develop some new ideas and ways of working.