WMFN Annual General Meeting 2025

WM Funders Network AGM was held on the 25th November 2025, hosted by Rathbones, Birmingham.

Tina Costello (OBE), Trustee, WM Funders Network and Chief Executive, Heart of England Community Foundation, chaired the AGM and presented the 2024-25 Annual Report.

She highlighted the number of events held or co-hosted at 9 events with over 300 booked to attend and 300 people attending (instances of attendance) with an 96% attendance rate. Membership had slightly grown to 48 representing over 90 individuals across funders and grant makers. The website traffic rose by 43% and unique visitor were up 47%. Though there were fewer newsletters send compared to the previous year, open and click rates remained high, indicating that targeted, quality content resonated with members.

The year had been a year of learning and innovation, with AI and data workshops to sessions on environmental justice, legal duties and inclusive funding, tackling big topics. The Annual Conference on participatory grant making approaches drew nearly 100 attendees, held at the Muath Trust, showcasing how funders can share power and improve impact, though attendees recognised that there is more still to do.

Peter Hardisty, Treasurer shared the financial report. The organisation has had a successful financial year with a budgeted surplus; as of end of year this was £7,757, far better than the budgeted deficit of £1,534. This reflects an increased income of more diverse income sources and slight reduction in expenditure.  

A copy of the Annual Report 2024-25 can be found here and the end of year accounts here: