Network: stories from our members and grantees

Stories from NSC members

During a lifetime working for environmental campaigns, I learned just how impactful small grants can be in enabling new causes to start up. Later I managed to generate enough surplus funds to become a philanthropist myself, and along with other networkers I can now really make a difference funding environmental start-ups. It’s a great privilege to be in this position and I welcome others joining us.

—C.F, NSC member

I joined Network after my mum died. My brother and I sold her house and suddenly had surplus funds, and a Network member friend suggested I join, for which I’m very grateful. It’s been a really invigorating additional component to my life. I like the differing perspectives people bring; and the way we manage to enjoy ourselves while trying to get at least some things changed.

—T.S, NSC member

I joined the Network for Social Change as I was processing, both emotionally and practically, my wealth and privilege and wanted to connect with others working through similar things. Giving with and alongside others has been inspiring and I have learned so much from them. Network provides just the balance of support and accountability that I need, and pushes me to think differently about where my money is going and how it can be best used to benefit others.

—Hannah, NSC member

For us, Network has continuously widened our charitable horizons. We joined when we had just retired and sold a business. We were new to giving and Network gave us the learning and background we needed for identifying and judging charitable organisations, providing that social and collective support which is all important.

—R.M, NSC member

Being a part of Network for Social Change means a huge amount to me. It provides a vehicle for my philanthropic giving which makes it so much more effective than it would be otherwise, with opportunities to learn from the cache of expertise that other members have. And on top of that it’s a family of friends who support each other through the sometimes challenging journey of trying to improve the world around us.

—A.W, NSC member

I joined Network in my mid-thirties after receiving an unexpected inheritance from my grandfather. I felt guilty at possessing unearned wealth, ashamed of having profited from the work of others and isolated from peers who did not know my financial situation. I wanted to redistribute my inheritance in line with my values but lacked the knowledge and skills to do this effectively. Network has given me access to people, projects and organisations that I would never have come across otherwise and that I feel privileged to support financially, as well as to a community of like-minded people with whom to share my ‘giving journey’.

—A.S, NSC member

When my husband and I sold our small business we were still in our 40s. We went to a Network introductory session and spite of initially feeling slightly out of our comfort zone, we joined and are so glad we did. We’ve learned so much and met so many interesting people, both members and grantees. We can honestly say Network opened a whole new world to us, even that it gave us new unpaid careers, and the knowledge that we are helping to create the sort of world we would like our children to live in.

—Sue and Oliver, NSC members

I first heard of Network when a member invited a charity I was involved in to apply for funding. Subsequently, I asked her about Network, and considered joining, but frankly did not have the financial wherewithal. A few years later I sold my house, meaning that I could contribute. I applied to join shortly before an October conference –which I found interesting and even exciting at times. Before the end I had decided to join a grant-giving Pool. That was so important; it enabled me to feel involved. I am so grateful!

—R.L, NSC member

“Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind”. I often think of Donne when I reflect on all the opportunities Network provides to be involved. It is an endless learning experience and really heartening to discover and support the work of the many compassionate, courageous and determined people running the projects.

—G.H, NSC member

I took early retirement because I wanted to prove that there was life after the law. My wife and I decided to put some of the earnings from my legal partnership into a charitable trust. We support a variety of things but particularly like helping cutting-edge groups that are tackling injustice.

—P.S and M.S, NSC members

We had just retired, sold a business and were new to philanthropy. Network gave us the learning and background we needed for identifying and judging charitable organisations, both for donating via Network itself and through our own family trust. It provided that social and collective support, which was all important. Network has continuously widened our charitable horizon, taken us to parts of Britain we would not otherwise have visited and walked in, as well as always providing —twice a year— a very welcome fun and bopping weekend. Indeed we have only missed one or two over the last decade!

—Roger Manser, NSC member

In my 40s I was an investor in technology start-ups. Meeting people fired up with an idea they wanted to realise was exciting – but I realised that the same vision and enthusiasm exists in the not-for-profit sector. So I didn’t need to think twice when, after I left the venture fund, I was invited to try out the Network for Social Change.

—C.H, NSC member

Assessing projects has brought me into contact with an inspiring range of people, from whom I have learnt so much about how to take effective social action. They have influenced both my funding and my understanding of how society works in the UK and across the world.

—P.B, NSC member

I’ve learnt so much as a member of Network —it’s changed my life.

—A.M, NSC member