What we do
The CSJ Foundation exists to support and magnify the fantastic work done by grassroots charities across the UK. Sitting in a unique position between frontline charities, philanthropists, and policymakers, the CSJ Foundation aims to revolutionise the way local grassroots charities are seen and funded.
We oversee an Alliance of 600+ grassroots charities and social enterprises spread across the UK. These charities have been vetted by our team and represent the very best small, community-based charities.
The insights we gain from these charities feed directly into the CSJ’s policy work, providing vital intelligence about the nature of poverty in the UK – and providing some of the best solutions to deep rooted social problems.
Regional Offices
We have a growing network of regional offices that are embedded in their local community. Working in a specific region, dedicated CSJ Foundation staff build strong relationships with the most effective poverty-fighting charities and organisations.
Through these offices, we make sure frontline voices are heard loud and clear in national discussions about poverty. We make the case for forgotten regions, showcasing their innovations and successes, not just highlighting their problems. And we direct much-needed funding to frontline charities.
Click on markers to discover our regional offices
Scotland
EST. 2023
- 50 Scottish charities already in CSJ Alliance
- Major awards ceremony created to recognise best grassroots Scottish charities
Kenneth Ferguson
Head of Scotland
North East
EST. 2022
- 40 local charities supported as members of the CSJ Alliance.
- Office has directed over £100,000 of philanthropic funds to local causes in first year, and has driven new national policy analysis on methadone usage.
Mark Libby
Regional Manager, North East
Yorkshire and East Anglia
EST. 2023
- Newest office, set up to support small charities, providing links to national policymakers and philanthropists.
- £105,000 of philanthropic investment directed to Yorkshire small charities.
Ben Robinson
Regional Manager, Yorkshire
North West and North Wales
EST. 2020
- 80 local charities supported as members of the CSJ Alliance.
- Office has hosted government ministers, driven national policy change, and engaged with local and national decision-makers.
Kawika Solidum
Head of Region, North West
Midlands and South Wales
EST. 2019
- 87 local charities supported as members of the CSJ Alliance.
- Office led huge exposé of Modern Slavery in Leicester, in conjunction with Sunday Times and has driven policy work on manufacturing, domestic violence, and school exclusion.
Steve Meadwell
Regional Manager, Midlands
London and Southwest
- Over 250 charities supported as members of the CSJ Alliance
- Previous CSJ Award winners include Café Domenica (Brighton), Street Talk (London), and Children Heard & Seen (Oxford)
Nathan Gamester
Managing Director
Philanthropy
Our deep understanding of small, grassroots charities and the communities that rely on them, means we are able to provide practical and informed guidance to philanthropists seeking high impact giving. In our first two years, we directed over £1 million to frontline charities. Each charity within the CSJ Alliance is reviewed and assessed by us to ensure their work is making a significant impact in tackling poverty. This means that a modest philanthropic investment will have a transformational impact on the lives of the poorest people in our society.
Our Roots: The link between CSJ and CSJF
Over the last 20 years, the Centre for Social Justice has developed an unparalleled understanding of the root causes of poverty in the UK, identified through its unique alliance of nationwide poverty fighting front-line charities. This network, combined with a 30-strong team of policy experts, an annual national awards programme, and backers from across politics and media, has delivered Britain’s number one poverty-focused think tank, with a third of its recommendations taken up by Government each year.
The CSJ Foundation was launched by the Centre for Social Justice to take this impact further.
The CSJ Foundation manages the CSJ Alliance of poverty-fighting charities to ensure local voices are even better represented in national policymaking. Not only this, but it champions Britain’s under-valued regions on a national stage and supports Britain’s philanthropists towards the very best unseen frontline initiatives.
While the two organisations are closely aligned sharing similar goals, the CSJ Foundation is a separate entity with its own board, mission, and team.
