Golden Grant Makers

Our resident-led panel bringing together eight local older residents who make decisions about which local projects and services to fund each year.

Find out more

What is a residents’ panel?

Through our residents’ panels, Islington Giving aims to:

  • Diversify decision-making by learning from, and listening to, people who live in the borough.
  • Challenge our own perceptions and ways of doing things.
  • Share power and be more accountable and transparent to the local communities in which we work.
  • Open a platform for local residents to create opportunities for themselves and for their borough.

Islington Giving first piloted a residents panel, our Young Grant Makers programme, in 2018 and we have been building on this ever since.

“[The facilitator] guided and nurtured us through the process, which at times was very daunting. It has provided exercise for bits of my brain that haven’t seen activity for a long time!”

Golden Grant Maker 2023

Golden Grant Makers 

Continuing our journey of resident-led grant-making, in 2022 we ran our first Golden Grant Makers panel.

The panel, comprised of five local residents over 55, designed a call for work that enriches the lives of Islington’s older residents.

In 2022, the Golden Grant Makers invited applications for projects that enabled older residents to build connections and develop a greater sense of community. 

Proposals were received from over 40 applicants – totalling over £1 million in costs – showcasing a high demand for projects supporting older residents in the borough. The panel made final funding decisions in February 2023 and eight organisations received a share of the funding.

Aged 55 or above? Live in Islington? Want to take an active role in providing more opportunities for older residents?

Islington Giving is looking for eight local older residents to come together and make decisions about which local projects and services to fund. In doing so, you will be helping us provide more opportunities for older people to connect, have fun, improve wellbeing and tackle isolation. The closing date for applications is 5pm, Friday 27th October. 

  • Featured image: Claremont Project, by Emma Marshall
  • Main image: GGM session, September 2023