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Month: April 2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Awards finalists

Our 25th anniversary awards recognise the organisations and individuals that have made the biggest difference to their communities and stakeholders through their work with the Steve Morgan Foundation.

Carefully selected by the SMF board of trustees, our awards finalists are:

Long-term impact award – honouring organisations delivering sustained, meaningful change

Innovation award – recognising organisations driving significant, tangible improvements through innovation

Inspirational leadership award – highlighting individuals whose leadership significantly advances our mission

Partnership excellence award – celebrating outstanding collaboration that strengthens our mission

The Steve Morgan Foundation 2026 Conference and Awards

The finalists will be celebrated, and the overall winner for each category will be announced at our conference and awards event at Carden Park Hotel, Cheshire on Monday 18 May 2026.

An invitation-only event, this day marks a celebration of the last 25 years of delivering impactful change together with a look ahead to the Foundation’s next 25 years.

We look forward to announcing the award winners and sharing footage of the event.

#SMFawards26 #SMFconference26

Place-based giving: from good intentions to real change

For 25 years, the Steve Morgan Foundation has invested in communities across Merseyside, North Wales, Cheshire and North Shropshire. We have backed programmes that tackle the root causes of social disadvantage. We have funded organisations for the long term. We have seen what that commitment produces.

Today, the government published Our Place to Give: a roadmap to grow place-based philanthropy across England. Published on 13 April 2026, it sets out plans to connect philanthropic donors with local organisations outside London, ensuring investment reaches the communities that need it most.

Key elements of the “Our Place to Give” roadmap include:

  • £1 million of funding over three years to help organisations share expertise, attract investment and build sustainable growth.
  • A network of regional philanthropic ambassadors to broker stronger links between philanthropists, communities and government.
  • Collaboration between government and the financial services sector to provide better philanthropic advice.

We support this direction. Place-based giving is not a new idea. Done properly, it works. Our Cradle to Career programme in North Birkenhead has brought together funders and statuary money to enable schools, services, and community organisations to support children and families over the long term. An independent evaluation by the University of Manchester, published in February 2026, found it is delivering life-changing results in North Birkenhead, one of England’s most deprived areas.  

That is what committed, long-term investment in a place looks like. A roadmap is a start. What matters now is whether it leads to real money reaching real communities, and staying there.

Steve Morgan CBE, Founder and Chairman, Steve Morgan Foundation said:

“We know place-based giving works because we’ve been doing it for 25 years. Our Cradle to Career programme shows what can happen when you invest properly, with the right partners, for the long term. Now the job is making sure this roadmap leads to real investment, not just good intentions.”

Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth Minister Stephanie Peacock said:

“Today’s announcement will help philanthropists across the country support local causes they are passionate about. By better connecting generous individuals with local organisations at the heart of their communities, we can unlock a new wave of giving that reaches every corner of the country.”

Our Place to Give: a roadmap to grow place-based philanthropy is available at gov.uk.

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