Grants data

Reflecting on feedback is an important part of the grants process as it helps us ensure our grantmaking processes are equitable, proportionate and supportive. By sharing our feedback publicly, we’re also able to hold ourselves to account in listening to and acting on feedback we’ve received. 

We have provided an overview of the feedback received from applicants and partners in 2025. The key takeaways can be found at the beginning of the blog. The feedback summary, and a full report of the feedback can be found at the end.  

Although evaluation is an ongoing process, our feedback surveys allow us to receive specific feedback at key points in the grant process and relationship. These surveys are anonymous, which helps to facilitate honest feedback. 

In 2025, we sent out four types of surveys to applicants and partners: 

1. Outline proposal survey: sent to applicants whose applications for funding were unsuccessful. 
    
2. Grant agreement survey: sent to partners after a grant offer has been made and accepted. 
    
3. Grant monitoring survey: sent to partners after grant instalment in a multi-year funding relationship. 
    
4. End of grant survey: sent to partners at the conclusion of a three-year funding relationship.  

Overall, the feedback received in 2025 was positive, with improvement in feedback scores compared to 2024’s scores seen across most metrics in our surveys. Most scores were above a 4 out of 5 (with 5 being a positive qualifier), demonstrating a consistently positive experience for applicants and partners in 2025. Scores were also largely consistent across grant programmes, reflecting a consistent approach to grantmaking, even where processes differ. 

Some consistent themes emerged from partners’ feedback across the different surveys. Partners highlighted their positive experiences with staff, with appreciation for the clarity and care provided by the team. Scores for “our staff team” average a 5 out of 5 across survey types (with 5 meaning our staff were “respectful, helpful and capable”). Many partners shared that they felt Blagrave understood and took an interest in their work, valuing more than just the practical parts of a grant relationship. Additionally, there was appreciation for proportionate reporting, which strengthened trust in the grant relationship and reduced burden on partners.  

We don’t ask unsuccessful applicants if they’re happy with the decision for their application, but we do ask them if they are satisfied with the explanation for it. For unsuccessful applicants, while a few felt rejection reasons could be clearer, satisfaction with these explanations improved compared to 2024. This is particularly notable as we had an increased number of rejections following two grant making rounds, demonstrating that our process remained consistent, or even somewhat improved, when there is an increased volume of applications.  

We’re using our feedback to strengthen what we’re doing well and to improve where applicants and partners have indicated we need to grow.  

Based on the positive feedback we’ve received from applicants and partners, we will continue to offer … 

• Proportionate, flexible reporting for partners which respects their time and isn’t a barrier to them doing their work. 
   
• Support beyond grants: including wellbeing grants, flexible and responsive emergency funding (grant uplifts), convening spaces (events) and consultancy support where applicable. 
   
• Clarity and care from staff engaging with partners — feedback shows that partners feel valued and respected as a result. 

Based on the insight and constructive feedback received, we’ve identified some key areas where we have room to grow. We're committed to improving in the following areas: 

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to share feedback in 2025! Your experience and insight help shape how we work and support us in strengthening our processes so they’re clearer, more supportive and better aligned with the needs of young changemakers, youth-led groups and youth organisations.  

The likelihood of partners at the end of their grant in 2025 recommending Blagrave as a funder was “highly likely” (5 out of 5). We hope to continue being a funder that our partners would recommend to others by remaining open to learning how we can do better and acting on what we hear.