This is a big year for TFN with the 20th anniversary of the very first TFN event held on 16 March 2002 at the Royal Institute of British Architects. The day-long event raised £62,950 for 10 charities (yes, 10!), the first to pitch being Olga Heaven from Hibiscus Initiatives with a project supporting Jamaican women accused of trafficking drugs – poor, desperate women who put themselves at immense risk in return for payment – as they served sentences in British prisons. Other charities that pitched at the event included Ashoka, Cardboard Citizens, Young Carers Project and the Vrygond Community Development Trust.

Since that event, The Funding Network and its international network of affiliates have supported well over 2,500 charities working, like Hibiscus Initiatives, to support some of the most vulnerable and marginalised members of society. Total funds raised stand in excess of £16.5m raised at over 650 events worldwide.

We’ll be marking our 20th anniversary with special events, stories from those who have supported, and a few surprises throughout the year. We are grateful to everyone that has supported us and our amazing grantees over the years, but a special shout out goes Fred, Sue, Oliver, Polly, Paul, Karina, Ondine, Ingrid and Amanda who were all at that first event and are still members 20 years later!