More than money: why our model works
Why combining funding with bespoke support helps small charities grow, strengthen and sustain their impact.
For us, the “More Than Money” model is about recognising that strong organisations are built over time, not just through funding, but through the combination of support that helps our partners build solid foundations for sustainable growth.
At the Pearce Foundation, we’ve always believed that charities need more than money to grow sustainably. That’s why we developed our ‘More Than Money’ model, combining funding with bespoke, wraparound support to help early-stage leaders build strong foundations.
A recent independent report by Charizone, evaluating over a decade of investment (2014–2025) by Lloyds Bank Foundation, provides strong evidence that providing both funding and support enables organisations to grow more sustainably. Charities that received funding alone did grow, but those that received funding alongside tailored, bespoke development support grew significantly more — almost twice as fast.
Funding + development support: 8.6% average annual growth
Funding only: 4.6%
With additional skills-based support: up to 10.6%
From reactive to strategic
Many early-stage charities are working at full capacity, delivering, firefighting, and responding to immediate need.
The research highlights how this combined approach helps shift organisations from being reactive to becoming more strategic.
For us, this starts with listening to what leaders really need, and creating the space for them to think, reflect and soundboard ideas.
A charity might come to us with a clear purpose and huge passion, but little time to work on rather than in their organisation. Through regular 1:1 check-ins, time with a skill-sharer, and peer support sessions, leaders begin to create space to clarify their direction, strengthen how they operate, and make more intentional decisions about where they’re going.
Building resilience for the long term
Growth is important, but resilience is critical.
The report shows that charities receiving tailored support are more likely to remain active and adapt through challenges. In contrast, those receiving funding alone were less resilient over time.
When organisations invest time in their leadership, systems and ways of working, they are better able to navigate uncertainty, whether that’s changes in funding, capacity pressures, or external challenges.
Unlocking confidence and opportunity
There are wider benefits too.
Charities provided with funding and capacity-building support are better able to:
attract additional funding
build credibility with other funders
grow their teams and reach more people
The research also shows that when support includes access to specialist skills such as mentoring, consultancy or professional expertise, growth increases further.
This is something we actively build into our model by working with experienced skill-sharers, experts in the field, who support partners in areas such as funding, communications, impact and systems. Alongside this, our coaching approach offers 1:1 sessions with the Founder, as well as peer support sessions with other partners.
Bringing the right support at the right time helps leaders move forward with greater clarity and confidence and empowers them to lead on their own development.
A framework that puts people first
We’ve developed a framework that starts with the leader, then the organisation, and then focuses on what matters most.
It gives structure, without being prescriptive.
For some, that might mean spending more time on developing leadership skills, for others it might mean working with a skill-sharer on funding, governance, communications, impact or systems.
Regular check-ins sit alongside this and offer a consistent space to reflect, sense-check ideas, and be supported and championed over time.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all programme; it’s a responsive approach that adapts to where each organisation is, and where they want to go.
What ‘more than money’ really means
For us, the “More Than Money” model is about recognising that strong organisations are built over time, not just through funding, but through the combination of support that helps our partners build solid foundations for sustainable growth.
It’s about leaders having the space to think.
Organisations having the foundations to grow.
And support being there when it’s needed most.
This is also why we invite our partners to reapply every other year, so we can continue to grow alongside them.
Ultimately, lasting impact doesn’t come from funding alone. It comes from organisations that are clear in their purpose, confident in their leadership, and able to adapt as they grow. This is far more achievable when support is provided consistently over time, particularly given the realities and pressures of running a small not-for-profit.
We’re delighted to see this approach evidenced at scale through over a decade of investment by a much larger funder.
Our thanks to Lloyds Bank Foundation and Charizone for this valuable piece of research.
You can read the full report and insights on their website using the button link below:
