Rethinking impact reporting
At the Fortus Foundation, we have always believed that our role is bigger than simply handing out grants. We want to make life easier for the brilliant charities and community groups we support. That means cutting out unnecessary admin and giving people more time to do what matters most - changing lives.
One of the biggest burdens for charities has always been impact reporting. Traditionally, after receiving a grant, organisations are expected to spend hours filling in forms and producing data-heavy reports. Valuable time and energy are poured into paperwork instead of going into frontline work.
So, we asked ourselves: why not do things differently?
Introducing the Power of One
That question led to our new video series, The Power of One, which flips the script on impact reporting. Instead of asking grant recipients to prove their worth on paper, we are helping them tell their stories in a way that is simple, creative, and engaging.
Episode 1 is out now and it features The Beehive, a children’s respite care centre in York. Staff at The Beehive had been planning multiple fundraisers to cover the cost of a defibrillator for their site. Our grant meant they could make that purchase straight away.
The long-term value of having a defibrillator is clear - it could save a life one day. But the immediate impact is already being felt. The staff and the 50 families who rely on The Beehive now have peace of mind knowing it is there, ready if needed. Sometimes the biggest difference is the reassurance it brings.
You can watch Episode 1 here: The Power of One – The Beehive.
Why this matters
The Power of One is about more than filming nice stories. It is about shining a light on the incredible work happening across Yorkshire, giving our funders something real and inspiring to share, and proving the impact of our grants in a way that is easy to digest.
Since our launch last year, we have already given out more than ten thousand pounds in grants, built partnerships big names, and supported projects with nothing but volunteer hours. But we know the need is far greater. Every month, we say no to hundreds of thousands of pounds in applications simply because we do not have the funds. And we hate saying no.
Be part of the movement
That is why we need more businesses to join us as 1%ers - committing 1% of profits to fuel projects that make a real difference in people’s lives. The more businesses that get involved, the more grants we can say yes to, and the more stories like The Beehive we can tell.
We are rewriting the rule book on what a foundation can be. And with your support, we can do even more.
We always want to hear from those as keen as us to make a positive impact – whether you’ve got time, resource or ideas to share – our Head of Foundation, Matty Lewis, wants to hear from you – reach out here.
Together, we can show the true Power of One.