Ariadne's Thread

Blog by Global Philanthropy Project – Meet the Moment: Fund Our Futures Campaign. In this blog you can learn more about the campaign and how to take part.

Blog by Dreilinden – What do we do with our one precious drop? Dreilinden’s response to the funding crisis. 

Webinar: The European AI & Society Fund (EAISF), in collaboration with Ariadne Network, invites you to the next Funders’ Briefing – ‘AI & welfare: fighting injustice in social security systems’.We will be joined by two experts from the European AI & Society Fund’s community to explore how to investigate and challenge these injustices and discuss how funders can enable this important work. When: Tuesday 1st July at 2-3pm CET. Register via the Community Hub.

Save the Date: Grant Skills Day 2025 – September 30th, London

We’re excited to announce that Grant Skills Day 2025 will take place on September 30th in London! This year, we’re working closely with our fantastic Planning Committee—Stephen Birtwistle (Laudes Foundation), Greg Leaney (Comic Relief), and Vinzenz Himmighofen (iac Berlin)—to shape a day that truly meets the moment. In a time of growing pressure on human rights and democratic values, this peer-to-peer workshop will bring together funders deeply committed to advancing human rights and social justice. It will be a dynamic, collaborative space to exchange effective practices and tools, and to challenge our assumptions about what this moment demands of us. Mark your calendars—we can’t wait to welcome you!

Share your grants data for 2024: Be part of building the world’s most comprehensive human rights funding dataset, a joint effort by HRFN, Candid, Ariadne, and Prospera. Every grant you share adds a vital piece to the puzzle, helping us create a more effective human rights funding landscape. Submit your fiscal year 2024 grants data to molly.mathews@ariadne-network.eu by June 30, 2025. We are also still accepting fiscal year 2023 grants data. 

All resources can be found on Ariadne’s website and Member-only Community Hub. Are you a member of Ariadne but don’t have access to the Community Hub? Sign-up here or email jana.stardelova@ariadne-network.eu.

The next Thread will go out on Thursday 17th July. We would love to hear from you! Please contact us by Tuesday 15th July if you would like to share announcements, events, or resources for the next issue. 

Resource – Time to Decolonise Aid: This report gathers insights from 158 activists, decision-makers, academics, and practitioners across the globe. It unpacks the colonial roots of aid and peacebuilding, explores structural racism in modern-day systems, and proposes bold recommendations for change. Available in Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Dutch, English, French, German, Hindi, Urdu, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish and Swahili.

Report – State of HATE 2025: HOPE not Hate researches, campaigns and supports against far-right and hateful ideologies, with support from the Migration Fund. The report examines how the far right is gaining ground at the ballot box, in the streets, and online – and what this means for the future of democracy. 

Publication – Finding Light in Darkness  ‘The Role of Ukraine’s Community Foundations in a Time of War’: The report explores the pivotal role of Community Foundations (CF) in Ukraine. It illustrates how Ukrainian CFs have demonstrated remarkable resilience and impact during the ongoing war, addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and fostering long-term community development and social cohesion. 

Make sure your LGBTI grants are counted in the 2023-2024 Global Resources Report! Global Philanthropy Project recently opened the data collection period for the sixth edition of the Global Resources Report, which includes LGBTI grants awarded in calendar years 2023 and 2024. The final deadline for data submission is September 30, 2025 but please share your data as early as possible. The data submission page includes reporting templates, an updated Frequently Asked Questions section, and a secure form for data uploads.

WINGS research – ‘Partnering for People Power’: the new research into the philanthropy support ecosystem for social movements in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean maps the funders, philanthropy support actors, and approaches that are in place to grow resourcing for social movements. 

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation research – Supporting Employees with Lived Experience: Together with Peer Power Youth and Place Matters, the new resource contains learning from 24 social impact organisations as part of a peer learning group on lived experience. Esmée Funding Manager, Genevieve Ford-Saville, has also shared a blog about how the group came about and what’s next for this work. 

Report – A vision for climate justice: Tackling the climate and nature emergency and global systemic racism: The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Race and Community has published a report, which brings together evidence gathered on the relationship between the climate emergency and systemic racism.

350+ CSOs Call For Immediate Interim Measures Against Hungary’s “Transparency of Public Life” Bill: Liberties coordinated over 350 civil society organisations calling on the President of the European Commission to halt Viktor Orban’s latest attempt to silence media and civil society just ahead of the elections. Read the full letter.

ILGA Europe – Rainbow Map 2025: Discover how 49 European countries are performing when it comes to LGBTI human rights. From top to bottom, see where each country stands on crucial legal and policy issues affecting the LGBTI community. It’s a vital snapshot of progress and setbacks across Europe right now. 

Story – Disability Rights Fund ‘How philanthropy can be truly inclusive’: In this story Robert Bosch Stiftung talks with partners at the Disability Rights Fund about why disability should not be a marginal issue for philanthropists. There is too little money for organisations working to promote the rights of people with disabilities worldwide, only around four percent of philanthropic funding in the area of human rights goes to them – even though around 16 percent of the world’s population lives with a disability. 

KIOS Foundation – ‘Corporate Responsibility – Global South’s Concerns Over EU Omnibus Amendment’: The European Union (EU) has long positioned itself as a global leader in corporate accountability and sustainable business practices. As the European Commission is considering reopening the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), potentially weakening its scope and effectiveness. For civil society organisations and affected communities in the Global South, this move represents a significant setback in the fight for human rights and environmental protection in global supply chains. Authored by Joseph Byomuhangyi, coordinator of the Uganda Consortium on Corporate Accountability (UCCA), an organisation supported by KIOS. 

The Philanthropy Observatory of Fondation de France – Philanthropy in a changing climate: challenges and perspectives for a just transition: The latest issue delves into the subject of environmental transition in the philanthropic sector from a systemic perspective. Particular focus is paid to the links between philanthropy and environmental issues—and issues of social justice more widely—in order to explore the notion of “just transition”.

At a time when progressive philanthropy is eager to understand how to resource the narrative strategies we need, Liberation Stories: Building Narrative Power for 21st Century Social Movements provides the sector with a compilation of insights and experiences from 62 experts that serves as a critical guide for who and what to fund. It includes a chapter that focuses on the history of philanthropy, communications, and narrative change.

Legal Empowerment Fund  – Now Is the Time to Bet on Social Movements: Following a gathering of African social movements, the fund’s consultant Maria Alesi reflects on how these movements are key to countering today’s threats to critical rights and freedoms and offers four ways to support their agility and resilience. 

European Legal Support Centre (ELSC) launched a database on anti-Palestinian repression in Germany, which provides open and free access to robust evidence on the practices and actors that silence and criminalise the Palestine solidarity movement. Data collection and research by the European Legal Support Centre (ELSC). Platform and data design by Forensic Architecture and Forensis.

Media Defence – Annual Report 2024: In 2024, Media Defence saw the highest number of new cases in their history, which reflects just how difficult the environment for independent journalism has become. The report also includes some of the outcomes they’ve helped achieve — from acquittals and landmark judgments to growing their network of over 400 lawyers defending journalists globally.

Article “The arc was bending. Now it’s breaking”, Ise Bosch, writes for Alliance Magazine: Ise Bosch shares her personal thoughts on the current disaster of north-to-south queer rights funding.

Corra Foundation – Independent Human Rights Fund for Scotland supports Human Rights Defenders: The Independent Human Rights Fund for Scotland is making a series of new grants to support organisations in their work with Human Rights Defenders. Human Rights Defenders are people who work peacefully to promote or protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Article: “Conspiring and constellating: How intermediaries uphold accountability to movements” Kit Muirhead, partnerships manager and gender lead at Alliance magazine, shares highlights from a session focusing on the role of intermediary funders that took place at the 2025 EDGE Funders conference.

Oak Foundation – Annual Report 2024: In 2024, Oak Foundation provided 411 programme grants to 368 organisations in 40 countries for a total of USD 466 million. In addition to their grantmaking, Oak strives to be a purposeful, supportive partner by providing additional support when needed. This can include providing organisational strenghtening support, which helps partner organisations deliver their missions.

Global Greengrants Fund – 2024 Annual Report: In 2024 Global Greengrants distributed $24 million via 2,000 grants across 125 countries. Beyond grantmaking, Global Greengrants supports communities and invests in strengthening a web of global movements that together, can more effectively cut carbon emissions, connect communities, and deepen shared goals and solutions that center care of people and the planet. 

Fenomenal Funds – “Proven Pathways to Resilience: Organizational Investments That Drive Transformation”: This second and final report from Fenomenal Funds builds on ‘Reimagining Power to Build Resilience’, offering new data and deeper insights into how adaptability, collaboration, and care strengthen movements. It distills what worked, why it mattered, and how funders can join in. The report and executive summary are available in English, Español and Français.

UKGrantmaking is a free, interactive platform that collates and analyses information on grants made during the most recent year. For the current edition, published in June 2025, data from 2023-24 was analysed. It also explores data published using the 360Giving Data Standard to understand the grants and recipients.

Legal Education Foundation – Policy Advisor (Consultancy). The Legal Education Foundation seeks a Policy Advisor to support strategic advocacy efforts for public legal education. Responsibilities include conducting policy research, advising on governmental and stakeholder engagement, and contributing to campaigns or collaborative initiatives. The position helps shape policy landscapes that improve legal literacy and access to justice for underserved communities in the UK. Location: UK. Deadline for applications is 30 June 2025. 

AB Charitable Trust – Grants Manager. A B Charitable Trust is seeking a Grants Manager to oversee grantmaking processes, including outreach, assessment, monitoring, and reporting for new and existing grants. You’ll work with stakeholders, conduct due diligence, and ensure efficient grant cycles aligned with the Trust’s mission. Salary: GBP 40,000 – 46,000. Location: London, UK. Deadline for applications is 4 July 2025.  

Ford Foundation – Program Officer, Building Institutions and Networks. The Ford Foundation’s BUILD initiative is a 12-year, US$2 billion program focused on strengthening social justice organizations worldwide. The Program Officer will shape and support grantmaking through trust-based approaches, providing resource support beyond funding—such as technical assistance and peer learning opportunities. Reporting to the BUILD Director, they will identify trends, reinforce effective practices, and align BUILD with the foundation’s global equity goals. Salary: USD 173,000 – 185,000. Location: New York, USA (Hybrid). Deadline for applications 7 July 2025. 

Ford Foundation – Grantmaking and Learning Program Manager, Office of Strategy and Learning. This role supports the Grantmaking Effectiveness Officer in advancing “FunderMentals”—internal practices related to funder development and grantmaking effectiveness. The manager will coordinate onboarding/on-going/offboarding processes for grant teams, analyse grant data to derive insights, and communicate findings internally and externally to strengthen funder practices. Salary: Approximately USD 120,000 – 125,000. Location: New York, USA (Hybrid). Deadline for applications is 7 July 2025.  

Open Society Foundations – Program Manager. The Open Society Foundations seeks a Program Manager to support its mission of advancing justice, civic engagement, and rights in East Asia. Reporting to the Geographic Lead, the role involves designing and implementing regional programs, conducting research and analysis, cultivating strategic partnerships, and overseeing grants and budgets. The incumbent will manage project workflows, produce high-quality reports, and represent OSF in regional forums. Location: Colombo, Kuala Lumpur or Seoul. Deadline for applications is 5 July 2025.

*For more jobs, see the ‘Career Opportunities’ section of Ariadne’s Community Hub. To address pay gaps in the charity sector, we strongly encourage you to #showthesalary in your job adverts.

16–22 June, UK-wide

Refugee Week 2025: Community as a Superpower
Join Counterpoints Arts for a week-long celebration featuring cultural festivals, creative workshops, talks, and exhibitions across the UK. The theme this year will focus on everyday actions that build inclusive communities. Learn more, register and organise events here.

25 June, Online  

Webinar: Inter-Narratives: The myths of philanthropy: what are the narratives that govern philanthropy – and how do we change them? What if philanthropy’s greatest resource isn’t financial but relational capital? What if what we inherited doesn’t have to be the legacy we leave?Join a conversation with Chiara K. Cattaneo (Co-lead of Elemental), Louisa Mann (chair of Thirty Percy Foundation) and Tesmerelna Atsbeha (senior program officer for a private foundation) exploring our relationship with money, power, and each other. Date and time: 25 June, 13:00-14:30 BST / 14:00 – 15:00 CEST. Learn more and register here. 

28 June, North London

Disability and Migration Conference. Join Disability and Migration Network (DAMN) and the DPAC crip tank (Disabled People Against Cuts) for a bold, inclusive gathering of disabled people, migrants, and allies coming together in solidarity and resistance. Date and time: 28 June, 11:00 – 17:00 BST. Learn more and register here.

30 June, Online  

Webinar: The (Mis)use of Data Protection Laws to Suppress Public Interest Journalism. Around the world, data protection laws are being weaponised to target journalists and stifle investigative reporting. Join Media Defence and the International Press Institute (IPI) to explore how these laws — originally designed to safeguard privacy — are increasingly invoked in bad faith to suppress public-interest journalism. From content takedown demands to SLAPPs (strategic lawsuits against public participation), journalists are facing mounting legal threats under the guise of data protection. Date and time: 30 June, 13:00 – 14:15 BST/ 14:00 – 15:15 CEST. Learn more and register here.  

01 July, Online 

The Future We Build: Fueling LGBTI Movements. Amid anti-rights backlash and dramatic shifts in the philanthropic and development assistance landscapes, the Fund Our Futures campaign launched in November 2024 with the goal to raise $150 million in new pledged funding for LGBTI movements by June 2025. Join GPP in marking the campaign’s close and the 40 (and counting!) grantmakers that met this moment by making new funding commitments to global LGBTI rights. Date and time: 01 July, 9:00 – 11:00 EST. Learn more and register here. 

3 July

Journeying Through Participatory Grantmaking with Guerrila Foundation. In this Deeper Inquiry session we hear from the Guerrilla team about how they implemented and evolved their participatory grantmaking strategy. They will be sharing the changes & challenges they’ve been through when implementing PGM, based on the evaluation conducted in 2024 after a two-year trial period using this governance model. Learn more and register here.

7 July  

4th Brown Bag Session on ‘Extraction in the majority world: AI infrastructure and the raw materials that power it’. In this session, Paz Peña Ochoa will present on the work done together with the Decolonial Feminist Coalition of Latin American activists on Digital and Environmental Justice, with a particular focus on the environmental impact of data centers in the Latin American context, and Ahmed Isamaldin Ahmed Isamaldin will discuss the organizing work he does with the Center for Environmental and Social Studies (CESS) on mining in Sudan. Date and time: 7 July, 15:00 – 16:00 BST / 16:00 – 17:00 CEST. Learn more and register here.