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.