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Month: September 2026

Strategic appointment to deepen SMF’s impact

We’re pleased to welcome Rich Jones to the SMF team to deepen our impact across the region as we enter the next chapter of the Foundation’s work.

As Regional Director, Rich will lead our regional grant-making, identifying where investment can make the greatest difference, building and strengthening our relationships with funded organisations and supporting the development of high-quality partnerships to ensure we remain closely connected to the communities we support.

With our £100 million commitment over the five years to 2030, we’re increasingly focused on building stronger place-based partnerships and delivering long-term change at scale. This new role enables us to be a more visible, engaged and accessible partner as we deliver our long-term strategy.

Rich brings more than 20 years’ experience of leading charities and social enterprises and has built successful partnerships between communities, charities, local authorities, businesses and funders throughout his career.

On his appointment, Rich said:

“Joining the Steve Morgan Foundation is both a privilege and an exciting opportunity. The Foundation has the ambition and long-term commitment to make a profound difference across the region, along with a desire to work closely and relationally with the organisations and communities it supports.

“I’m looking forward to listening to those partners, understanding their ambitions and challenges, and helping the Foundation ensure our grant-making not only responds to immediate need but strengthens the people, organisations and relationships that communities depend upon.”

Our CEO, Liam Eaglestone added:

“Rich’s strong track record, understanding of the region, values-led approach, and ability to build trusted relationships as well as his significant experience, credibility and insight will be invaluable as we continue our work and increase the scale of our investment across the region.”

To connect with Rich about our regional grants, please drop him a line at rich@stevemorganfoundation.org.uk.

What happens next? Lessons from 25 years of change 

Real change happens when people come together around a shared purpose. 

That message ran through every conversation at our 25th Anniversary Conference, where charities, public services, funders, policy leaders and people with lived experience explored what it will take to create better opportunities for children, young people and communities over the next 25 years.  

There was no shortage of discussion, but there was a sense of urgency. People in the room know what works. They see the impact of prevention, strong local partnerships and community-led solutions every day. The challenge now is connecting that knowledge, aligning efforts and turning shared ambition into lasting action.  

The SMF learning summary (see below) captures the strongest insights from those conversations. It explores the questions that matter to everyone working to create change:

  • What makes place-based working succeed?
  • How do we move from funding services to influencing systems?
  • What role should lived experience play in shaping decisions?
  • And what practical steps can turn collaboration from aspiration into action? 

Alongside reflections on prevention, partnership and long-term change, the summary sets a clear challenge for funders, public services and charities alike: how do we build stronger local systems, rather than simply respond to immediate pressures?  

For us, those lessons reinforce the direction we are already taking. Through our £100 million commitment from 2025 to 2030, we are increasing our focus on long-term, strategic philanthropy that tackles the root causes of social disadvantage, not just its symptoms. 

We are also investing in our capacity to make a greater contribution. By strengthening our team across leadership, impact, communications and operations, we are better placed to listen, convene, share learning and support partnerships that drive lasting change. 

The conference was a great celebration of the work over the past 25 years; we’re now fully focused on delivering lasting impact for the long term. 

Read the SMF learning summary and help shape what comes next. 

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