Agenda item

Report of the Chief Grants Officer.

The Committee received the regular progress report of the Chief Grants Officer and discussed the updates provided.

Finance Update

Members noted that a carry-forward of £4,448,000 to the 2017/18 financial year had been agreed by the Chairman of the Finance and Policy & Resources Committees via urgency procedures in order to agree five-year grant proposals at the May and July 2017 Committee meetings. The Chief Grants Officer advised that, as part of the Trust’s 5 year strategic review to inform the 2018-2023 grant spend, consideration was being given as to how the approach to the grants budget might be improved to support the delivery of high impact, longer-term grants better, and a detailed paper for the CBT Committee and Resource Allocation Sub Committee was proposed.

Human Resources Update

The Chief Grants Officer advised that, as an outcome of the Rocket Science review commissioned by the Trust, the Director of City Philanthropy – A Wealth of Opportunity Cheryl Chapman was working in-house ten days a month. In addition, the Head of Philanthropy Strategy position would be advertised in the next few days. These posts would support the work of this Committee, the City Corporation, and beyond.

Stepping Stones

Members were advised that the fourth round of Stepping Stones closed to first stage applications on 10th May. 50 applications had been received which would be shortlisted next week.