The Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts (SFCT) is the operating office of 18 grantmaking trusts established by three generations of the Sainsbury family. The trusts' donations to charitable causes over several decades represent one of the leading examples of sustained philanthropy in Britain. Victoria Hornby, former Executive of the SFCT, reflects on the value of the collaborative work the Trusts have been doing with Impetus.
You've been investing some of the Trusts' funds in the
activities of Impetus for three years now. What was it that appeals
to you about Impetus?
The Trustees of the Indigo Trust were keen to explore whether
Impetus's engaged model could bring benefits to a whole sector,
through support for a carefully selected group of organisations.
This is why we decided to back the Impetus for Reducing Reoffending
Initiative.
What was it that especially appealed to you about the
Impetus for Reducing Reoffending Initiative?
Indigo [one of the SFCT's trusts] began talking to Impetus about
creating a fund focused solely on criminal justice, because the
trustees were keen to explore ways of growing successful charities
and interventions that could have an impact across the sector
rather than in one locality or prison.
Is it unusual to partner with another grantmaking
organisation, or is collaborative working become more common
place?
Many of our trusts enjoy excellent collaborative relationships and
partnerships with other grantmakers, but it is unusual for them to
provide funding to another grantmaking body. The aim here was to
create a wider partnership of several funders, all working to pool
knowledge and resources, and benefiting from Impetus's high levels
of engagement.
How do you see the moves towards social investment
impacting on your work?
Social investment isn't a solution for everything, but it does
provide grantmakers with a different set of options, particularly
when considering how to achieve growth and scale.
How do you evaluate whether the money you are investing
with Impetus is being well spent?
In three ways: the progress of the charities in the portfolio in
terms of growth and influence, the impact the work of the charities
has on practice in prisons, and the impact that the work of the
charities has on policy - especially the value of the work in
advocacy terms.
What advice would you give to others about smart investing
in the social sector?
Develop a very clear understanding and knowledge of the
sector/field you are investing in, work with other knowledgeable
partners, develop clear milestones and targets, but take a
long-term view.
Philanthropic giving can be such a pleasure. I find that the more I give away, the richer I feel.
Dame Stephanie Shirley
UK Ambassador for Philanthropy 2009 - 2010