Cohort 1 of the Capability Development Programme

Boosting learning and leadership within community-led organisations

At the Vivensa Foundation, we believe in funding people as well as projects. That’s why we started the Capability Development Programme – to give community-led organisations working with older people the tools they need to succeed: practical learning, leadership development, strategic thinking time and a £15k grant to put their ideas into action.

Sue and Katy discussing sharing learning

Change conversation series, part three: Sharing the learning

This is the third instalment of our four-part conversation series with outgoing Chief Executive Officer Susan Kay (SK) and her successor Katy Saunders (KS). In the last article, they talked about how collaboration serves to de-risk change – by avoiding duplication and wasted effort and building organisational resilience. They expand on the discussion here, focusing on the importance of sharing learning openly and understanding risk appetites in supporting innovative change.

Four panellists at the ECR event

2025 Early Career Researcher Event

On 19 November 2025 we hosted our Early Career Researcher event at the Building Centre in central London. There were posters, research showcase speakers and a panel discussion.

Framework

Five tips for developing a values-based framework for investment

We have developed a values-based framework for investment, and while we are not claiming to have got it 100% right, we are a step on from simply talking about it. By sharing some key learnings from our journey, we hope to help others move their ideas forward too.

A young person looking to the sky

Open call for investment proposals for a £50m portfolio

We, along with five other charitable foundations have issued a public invitation to investment service providers: propose a bold portfolio for an investment of up to £50m that prioritises positive social and environmental impact for future generations.