At Mission 44, we believe that transparency, mutual learning, and equitable partnerships are fundamental to driving lasting impact. That’s why we’re committed to collecting regular feedback from our funded partners to help shape and influence our grantmaking approach.

We launched our latest partner survey* to learn directly from the people and organisations we’re proud to support. Their feedback is critical to helping us evolve and live out our values as a progressive funder and drive continuous improvement.

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts.

Positive feedback to build on:

Our efforts to build trust-based, flexible, and collaborative relationships are resonating with our partners. All respondents (100%) said they feel comfortable being open with our staff about both successes and challenges, and that Mission 44’s expectations and ways of working were clear. Almost all (95%) felt that Mission 44 is flexible and collaborative, and that we genuinely value their expertise and lived experience. This is a testament to the work of our Partnership Managers, who continue to build meaningful, authentic relationships that centre trust and shared purpose.

Our funding processes feel clearer and more collaborative. Most partners (84%) found the application process proportionate to the grant size, while 89% said our proposal and assessment processes were clearly communicated. We invest significant time upfront to make sure our partners are informed and supported throughout the process, and it’s encouraging to see that effort reflected in the feedback.

Our support beyond just funding alone is making partners more effective. Nearly all (94%) said our grant improved their organisation’s effectiveness or impact, and 84% reported increased awareness of their work. 90% said that partnering with Mission 44 helped them learn where they could enhance their impact. Whether by strengthening internal capacity, expanding programmes, or enabling collaboration, we’re proud that our funding helped partners grow and deepen their impact.

*We saw a response rate of 58% (19 responses) which means that while the results may not fully represent the views of our entire portfolio, they still offer valuable insights that can inform our grantmaking approach and highlight opportunities for learning and improvement.

Where we can do better:

We also heard some important areas for improvement:

Reporting vs capacity: While 79% felt our reporting was proportionate, we recognise that for smaller organisations, the frequency of check-ins, milestones, and progress reports can be overwhelming. As we scale and seek more robust data to meet our own accountability needs, we’re reflecting on how to keep our approach proportionate, strategic, and supportive.

Building community: Just under two-thirds (61%) said they benefited from access to networks in the Mission 44 ecosystem – which isn’t high enough. Our partners have told us they want stronger connections, and by fostering these, we can help build a more cohesive and impactful community. As a funder with a bird’s-eye view, we are well-placed to proactively spot and facilitate opportunities for collaboration across our partner networks and we’re committed to being more intentional in our practice.

Communicating our partners’ work: While the majority (79%) of partners felt supported with clear branding and communications guidance, there’s room to improve. We are deeply committed to showcasing our partners’ work and amplifying their stories, and we’ll continue to refine our processes to ensure they are as smooth as possible for all partners.

Our commitments

In response to this feedback, we will:

• Review reporting to be proportionate and purpose-driven
• Strengthen the sense of community across our portfolio
• Provide clarity and continuity around our processes
• Prioritise our relational approach to grantmaking

Looking ahead

We remain committed to continuous learning and improvement, and to working in genuine partnership to drive transformative impact for young people. We’ll keep listening closely and evolving with our partners’ insights at the centre.

Sophie Wall,
Head of Strategy and Learning, Mission 44