SNG: A simpler, faster, community-based approach to grant giving

The challenge

SNG’s previous approach to grant giving was fragmented and time-intensive, managed partly in-house and partly through external partnerships.

They faced a frustrating paradox: they had community investment funds available, but getting the money into the hands of communities that needed it was difficult.

Their previous grant-giving process did not attract enough applications. Feedback from applicants was that the process was complex and restrictive, making it inaccessible for small organisations without fundraising capacity or expertise.

Internally, this led to frustration. SNG knew the need in their communities was high, but they faced challenges getting their funding to the people who needed it. 

Alongside this, they found it challenging to gather the impact data they needed, making it difficult to demonstrate the value of their investment to colleagues and stakeholders.

It became clear that a new approach was needed. They needed a platform that made the process easier for their team and the communities they serve.

“We would not have been able to distribute this level of funding without ActionFunder. ActionFunder has made it possible for us to fund more groups, more efficiently, and in a way that feels meaningful. It’s changed the game for us, and for our communities.”

Hannah Monck, Funding and Grants Manager at SNG

The solution: simplified, strategic community grants

SNG turned to ActionFunder because it offered what they needed: an easy-to-navigate platform with proportionate expectations for community groups, and a streamlined process that took the pressure off their internal team by handling due diligence and simplifying reporting.

A year later, the transformation is remarkable. Through ActionFunder, SNG has distributed nearly £400,000 in community grants – an amount it would not have been possible to distribute using their previous grant-giving mechanism.

Using ActionFunder’s simple application process, the volume and quality of applications have soared. “Nine times out of ten, we have a strong list of good matches as soon as a fund launches.”

With access to ActionFunder’s extensive network of non-profits and promotional tools, SNG is forging new local partnerships with previously unknown groups.

“We’ve discovered things happening in the community around our housing areas that we didn’t even know about.”

Through ActionFunder’s customisable reporting tools, SNG has integrated the HACT wellbeing framework into their reporting, ensuring they now get the data they need. Crucially, the reporting expectations are proportional to the size of the grant, allowing small community groups to report meaningfully without being overburdened – a priority for SNG. 

And alongside the quantitative data, they also receive powerful stories, images and quotes from the ground, through ActionFunder’s updates feature. These softer, qualitative insights have changed the way SNG talks about impact, moving beyond beneficiary numbers to a broader and richer understanding of what their funding achieves. 

These regular updates from grantees have proved a powerful internal engagement tool for SNG.

By sharing these across internal comms channels, colleagues can see the tangible impact of their community investment and feel more connected to the people and places they serve. “Those updates tell 100 stories”.

This storytelling approach has supported SNG’s strategic goal of engaging staff and stakeholders in their community investment work.

With demand for their grants now so high and proof of impact easy to communicate, SNG was able to make the case internally to unlock additional investment, increasing the scale and impact of their community investment.

Ready to unlock more from your grant giving?

Let’s talk about how ActionFunder can simplify your grant-making, increase your reach, and make the process more human.

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