West Midlands Funders Network and Heart of England Community Foundation are joining forces to deliver the Big Local Legacy Learning Programme, a new initiative launching in June/July 2026. Funded by Local Trust and the National Lottery Community Fund, the programme will capture and share learning from Big Local areas across the region.

WMFN has been exploring data and digital issues since 2018. Now, as generative AI reshapes the funding landscape, our 2025 Annual Conference brought together members, practitioners and experts to ask the questions that matter most. Ambassador Pauline Roche reflects on the energy, the ethics, and what funders should do next.

Funders from across the West Midlands came together on 28 April to explore the opportunities and challenges of assessing and funding Community Interest Companies (CICs), sharing practical experience and strengthening collective understanding. The session highlighted both the potential CICs offer and the complexities they present for funders.

As elections approach and public debate becomes more polarised, charities and funders are navigating complex questions about campaigning and political engagement. This article summarises key insights from a West Midlands Funders Network briefing with legal expert Kirsty McEwen, outlining the rules, risks and practical considerations for charities influencing policy while remaining within the law.

Drawing on 30 years’ experience across the funding and voluntary sectors, Siobhan Harper-Nunes reflects on the structural barriers facing Black and marginalised organisations in the West Midlands. The article explores bias, access and short-term funding — and what funders can do differently.

The meeting explored the Government’s new 10-year National Youth Strategy and its implications for the West Midlands. Discussions highlighted challenges around youth infrastructure, funding and delivery, alongside examples of place-based practice. Contributors emphasised the need for long-term investment, stronger coordination and genuine youth voice to realise the strategy locally.

At the WM Funders Network AGM, members reviewed a year of growth, innovation and strong engagement. With rising event attendance, expanding membership, increased web traffic and a healthy financial surplus, the Network celebrated progress while recognising the ongoing need to deepen collaboration, share power, and strengthen funding practice across the region.

Funders from across the region gathered in Birmingham to explore the Civil Society Covenant and what emerging data means for the West Midlands VCSE sector. The workshop highlighted rising demand, financial strain, and the need for evidence-led, collaborative funding that strengthens infrastructure, workforce wellbeing, and long-term sector resilience.

Community Interest Companies (CICs) are reshaping the West Midlands’ social economy. This event explored how funders can better support CICs’ growth, governance, and sustainability, with insights from key partners including Lloyds Bank Foundation, Barrow Cadbury Trust, and the WMCA. Read more about the opportunities and challenges ahead for funders.

West Midlands Funders Network partnered with IVAR to explore the Open and Trusting initiative. Funders heard from sector leaders on building trust, adapting risk, and supporting charities more effectively. The session offered practical tools, case studies and inspiration to help funders strengthen relationships and deliver stronger community outcomes.

The Civil Society Covenant offers a new framework for partnership between government and the third sector. But for its principles to translate into real change, civil society must be resourced, valued, and included in decision-making. Our latest insight explores what’s at stake—and what needs to happen next.

SCVO supports Sandwell’s voluntary and community sector, helping local groups, charities, and social enterprises to thrive. By strengthening collaboration, amplifying community voice, and building practical capacity, SCVO plays a central role in shaping a more connected and resilient borough.

At our July roundtable, members heard powerful insights from frontline leaders on the risks posed by welfare reforms to disabled people and the third sector. With rising need and shrinking resources, speakers called on funders to back core capacity, collaboration, and lived experience to meet the moment.

At WMFN’s 2025 Annual Conference, over 100 funders, charities and civic leaders gathered to confront the realities of AI, data and digital change. From ethical dilemmas to practical case studies, the day offered a grounded look at how these tools are already reshaping the sector — and what it will take to adopt them with confidence, inclusion and care. This article reflects on the key themes, feedback and next steps.

The National Lottery Community Fund is deepening its role as a listening funder, championing community-led change across the West Midlands. With a strong focus on equity, health, and environmental justice, it’s empowering local voices to shape funding decisions and drive impact where it’s needed most.

Our April Roundtable explored the latest migration trends across the West Midlands, highlighting the region’s key role in refugee resettlement and the growing pressures facing frontline services. Speakers from WM Strategic Migration Partnership and RMC shared vital data and insights on housing, legal aid, integration, and sector capacity.

Delve into place-based funding approaches. Our March workshop equipped stakeholders with the knowledge to drive impactful change across the West Midlands. Explore effective partnership working, delivery mechanisms, and strategies for tackling inequality. Learn from experts at Power to Change, Barrow Cadbury Trust, and others, and discover how to define and measure success.

The Rigby Foundation actively drives change in the West Midlands, breaking barriers to quality education and sustainable employment for young people, particularly in central and south Birmingham. Their "Inspiring Futures Programme" connects schools and charities to deliver targeted support.

It is with great sadness that the Network shares the passing of Eric Adams, a dedicated and influential figure in the world of philanthropy and civil society.

Understand the legal nuances of grant-making. Our recent seminar clarified the vital distinctions between gifts, grants, and contracts, ensuring funders operate within legal boundaries. Access the presentation to learn more.