- Home
- Teachers & Leaders
- Farmers & Growers
- Our Mission
- About Us
- Support Us
- Plant Your Pants
- Policy
- Latest News
- Get In Touch
- Donate today
19 February 2025
The Dulverton Trust has been supporting charities through core funding for many years. We do this because we understand the power of long-term, flexible support and believe that the strongest partnerships are built on trust and a shared commitment to creating lasting social impact.
By Binda Patel - Director, The Dulverton Trust
We are seeing a growing trend in the philanthropic sector toward making unrestricted, multi-year grants. Having worked in charities for over 15 years, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative this type of funding can be. It has had a profound impact on the organisations I’ve been part of, enabling us to create lasting change. As a funder, I now see how instrumental this approach is – not just for individual charities like The Country Trust, but for the sector as a whole.
That said, I understand why some funders may be hesitant. There are several reasons for this: your trustees may not be on board, concerns about risk and accountability, challenges in measuring impact, or simply the fact that project-specific funding has always been the norm. But having experienced the benefits of multi-year, unrestricted grants on both sides of the table, I can confidently say that when done with the right intentions and careful thought, the benefits far outweigh the concerns.
Why Core, Long-Term Funding Matters
At the Dulverton Trust, we recognise how essential it is to provide core funding to charities. Core funding ensures that organisations can continue their vital work without the complexities and uncertainties that often come with project-specific funding. It also creates space for growth, innovation, and creativity. By funding core operations, we've seen how charities can strengthen their programmes, expand their reach, invest in their staff, and build lasting partnerships. These are all crucial elements for long-term success and much harder to achieve with highly restricted funding. Only with long-term core funding can charities develop a forward-thinking vision and truly plan for the future.
Our Long-Term Partnership with The Country Trust
One of the partnerships we’re most proud of is with The Country Trust, which we’ve supported since 1990. Few funder-charity relationships last as long as this, and we take great pride in the longevity of our collaboration. The Country Trust’s measurable impact has helped us feel confident that our funding is truly making a difference. We don’t just measure ‘hard’ outcomes like improved school attendance—we also see clear evidence of positive changes in behaviour, well-being, and overall quality of life. This ongoing success has fostered a trusting relationship between us, making us even more committed to their work.
The Country Trust’s mission closely aligns with our own. We believe in the importance of opening doors for young people, particularly those facing socio-economic barriers, and their approach to connecting children with nature not only provides educational value but also supports personal growth and a vital connection to the environment. Many disadvantaged children would otherwise never have access to such powerful, enriching experiences.
The Power of Long-Term Support for Lasting Change
We provide The Country Trust with multi-year, strategic grants because we recognise the profound impact of long-term support. Creating lasting, meaningful social change requires time and stability. Charities need the opportunity to develop their programs, nurture relationships, and evaluate their impact. By offering multi-year funding, we empower The Country Trust with the resources, confidence, and stability needed to scale their efforts and drive sustainable change.
Building a Better Future Together
At the Dulverton Trust, we are proud to support The Country Trust and many other charities through long-term partnerships. This reflects our belief in the power of sustained, strategic support to drive meaningful change. We share a commitment to young people, and, like The Country Trust, we want to open doors for a generation of children who will carry forward the lessons they’ve learned in the great outdoors, helping to build a more resilient and connected society for years to come.
