Backbone: connecting social justice

For the last seven years, we’ve supported a range of organisations through our Backbone Fund who work both within the main areas we focus on (like arts, young people and migration), as well as cross-cutting fields that underpin everything we support and stand for, like democracy, human rights, and racial justice. 

We think of the organisations we fund in Backbone as ​‘connective tissue’. They strengthen their fields, connect with others, and build new forms of power through advocacy, research, convening, and many other activities. This work is central to the success of the more visible parts of the voluntary sector often characterised as ​‘frontline’ or service delivery. 

We held our first meeting of Backbone grant holders in October last year. It was obvious from the conversations and energy in the room that even though organisations might focus on different things (we had people working on impact journalism, creativity in education, changing the criminal legal system†, and tackling hate – just to give a few examples), everyone was united in the belief in a better future. 

In bringing together groups working across social justice, there were some key characteristics which united this varied group of organisations: 

• New ways of working – in an unpredictable environment, traditional ways of working are no longer fit for purpose – or perhaps never were. We see this group of organisations working in innovative, experimental and radical ways. 
• Designing for justice – organisations in the Fund have developed their work with intentionality and a clear vision of justice. 
• Authenticity – these organisations are deeply connected to their purpose. One person described authenticity as being their superpower. 

Lastly, what came through is the need for space and time to come together to share, reflect and imagine possibilities. Now more than ever, we feel the need for new approaches to building a better future; approaches which can help us move beyond the status quo and help us centre the voices of those most affected by injustice, pay attention to things that we’ve ignored for too long, and allow us to step forward with confidence and generosity. 

In a context where financial resources are stretched and it can feel like ​‘crisis’ is the new normal, we are hopeful that focusing on the strength that we gain from coming together, and the asset that is our network, can be powerful. 

† We have used this term rather than the more commonly used ​‘criminal justice system’. This reflects the injustice many see in how criminal law is applied. For more information, please see Harm to Healing’s report.

This year we’re very pleased to be supporting a range of organisations who share this same ethos of working towards a better future. In the group, there is a particular emphasis on support for sustaining not-for-profit organisations and movements in times of continual stress. This will be particularly needed as people forge new forms of power with community at the core. 

We are supporting two organisations in the movement building space, tripod and navigate, both building the power of social movements and tackling the root causes of injustice. We will also continue to support IVAR in their mission to strengthen communities across the UK through action research, education and training. 

RadHR are working to develop an approach to human resources – the nuts and bolts of organised activity – that can help leaders and charity workers do their jobs more effectively without reinforcing old hierarchical models of leadership. 

The Decelerator offers practical advice for organisations making difficult decisions about their future. They believe that whilst endings may be inevitable, bad endings don’t have to be and through embracing the possibilities for radical change, we can let go of things that have not served us well and build for the future we want. 

We’re pleased to also support Runnymede Trust and the Decolonial Centre, who provide important resources to civil society, looking deeply at how structural racism shows up today and its historical underpinnings. 

Building on our thematic approach of reimagining systems of wealth, we continue to support ShareAction​’s work to build a world where the financial system serves people and planet. 

Central to all our areas of work is creating the conditions for young people to thrive and live fulfilling lives, which is why we continue to support the work of Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, who advocate for the mental health needs of babies, children and young people. 

The pursuit of social justice is the work of generations and progress forward can quickly be lost. Our Backbone organisations, along with many of our grant holders and others, are at the forefront of working out how we can get beyond short-term crises and tactics which ultimately harm people and planet in order to set a course to a way of being together that is healthier and happier for everyone. 

Backbone Fund awards are made by invitation only and we do not accept applications.