Our News

Through the ongoing work of our Learning Partners, Animate, we interviewed Michael and Stewart who are housing officers working for Dundee City Council. They told us about their experience of working with two local women living in Charleston.

Read the article We can’t do everything for everyone - and we don't need to

In philanthropy and impact investing, beginnings often command the spotlight. Governance structures, due diligence, and investment rigor rightfully receive significant attention. Sustainability and legacy are acknowledged along the way, but as delivery becomes routine, this focus narrows and we lose sight of our final, and perhaps most important role as funder. That of navigating the exit.

Read the article Funders reflections on planning for exit – what we know so far

Congratulations to Dundee City Council on winning the Strengthening Communities & Local Democracy award at the recent COSLA Excellence Awards in recognition of their work with What Matters 2 You to transform conditions to deliver whole system, place-based approaches which put local people at the front and centre of everything they do.

Read the article COSLA Excellence Awards

We are delighted to share the latest briefings on our Make It Happen Fund as we make strong progress with the continued roll-out in Dundee and in Clackmannanshire. This has been made possible because of our wonderful funders: BBC Children in Need, The Hunter Foundation, The Robertson Trust, William Grant Foundation, The Northwood Foundation, and the NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation

Read the article Make It Happen Fund Briefings

When I first started working with WM2U, I was struck by how different it felt to the usual way organisations are designed and governed. It wasn’t about meeting targets, ticking boxes, or filling out forms - instead, it was putting into practice the principles we often hear about - relational, person-centred, trauma-informed, strengths and rights-based. But the question is - what does that actually look and feel like in practice?

Read the article Why growing capabilities matters, and the difference it can make

Following successful roll-outs in Dundee’s Lochee  & Strathmartine Wards that has seen over £47,000 of funding allocated to local community projects, a new round of the Make it Happen Fund from What Matters to You has launched, this time in the city’s North East and East End wards. 

The Make it Happen Fund is a community-led initiative to bring positive changes to communities in Dundee and is run by local communities for local people and enables families and community groups to set the fund’s priorities and design the funding proposal process for their area.

Read the article East Wards Make It Happen Fund Launch

Twenty-one community groups who are set to bring about positive change in their communities have been named as worthy recipients of the Strathmartine Make it Happen Fund by What Matters to You (WM2U) at a Celebration event at Downfield Juniors Football Club.

The fund is run by local communities for local people and enables families and community groups to set the fund’s priorities and design the funding proposal process for their area.

Read the article Successful Applicants Receive Strathmartine Make it Happen Fund

Reflective Blog from Craig Tomlinson who is Head of Insight at BBC Children in Need. Read the article Why learning is the key to change

The Make it Happen Fund, a community-led initiative to bring positive change to communities in Dundee is extending its reach across Dundee to support more communities.

The funds will open in the East End Ward (Douglas, Craigie, Mid-Craigie & Linlathen) and the North East Ward (Dalclaverhouse, Mill O'Mains, Emmock Woods, Whitfield, Fintry & Ballumbie) on Monday 1st September and full details can be found on the following respective web pages.

Read the article Make It Happen Fund Extends Its Reach