{"id":2850503,"date":"2025-03-05T05:03:09","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T10:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/?post_type=initiative&#038;p=2850503"},"modified":"2025-06-04T02:00:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T07:00:25","slug":"funders-circle","status":"publish","type":"initiative","link":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/initiative\/funders-circle\/","title":{"rendered":"Funders&#8217; Circle"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>What is the OTT Funders\u2019 Circle?<\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Funders&#8217; Circle is an inclusive space that brings together a group of funders dedicated to promoting evidence-informed policymaking and supporting think tanks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The aim of the Funders&#8217; Circle is to help advance credible, sustainable, well-connected, and equitable policy research systems worldwide while supporting OTT&#8217;s mission to assist think tanks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"o-button o-button--line\" href=viewform0489.html>Join the Funders&#8217; Circle<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>What can you expect as part of the Circle?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Engage and connect with peers: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a member, you can engage with fellow funders, experts, and OTT associates on topics relevant to your work and the think tanks you support. Discussions will explore how funders&#8217; practices influence think tanks and the key factors enabling their sustainability, drawing on insights from OTT\u2019s global community.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Identify collaboration opportunities:\u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Funders&#8217; Circle facilitates communication and coordination among members, helping to minimise duplication and maximise impact. Given the diversity of programming cycles, internal rules, and governance structures, this space is key to fostering collaboration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Share insights and experiences: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Members exchange knowledge and experiences to address common challenges and adapt to changing contexts. This collaborative approach strengthens understanding and enhances effectiveness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Develop a shared understanding: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Circle provides a space to build a common and nuanced perspective on think tanks and their role, helping to shape a consistent narrative that can influence change within member organisations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Learn and develop your competencies and skills:\u00a0<\/strong>OTT undertakes research and analysis on think tanks and funders&#8217; practices and share the findings and recommendations with members of the Funders&#8217; Circle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Benefits from joining<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Participants will receive a schedule of services throughout the year, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online sessions focused on key topics of shared interest, sometimes featuring contributions from experts and other stakeholders.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An invitation to the annual in-person Funders&#8217; Circle Roundtable, held alongside the Annual OTT Conference, which serves as a platform for strategic foresight discussions to identify challenges and opportunities for the think tank sector.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funders&#8217; Circle Newsletter shares early versions and updates of research and analysis, summaries of the online session, and useful news from the world of think tanks through a dedicated newsletter.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, <strong>funding members<\/strong> receive:<span class=\"c-note__icon js-note\" data-note=\"Funding members provide multi-year support to the On Think Tanks programme or flagship initiatives. Their support makes it possible to deliver the programme\u2019s multiple initiatives and its mission. If you would like to support the On Think Tanks programme, please contact us.\"><span>+<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Priority participation and the chance to convene a session or host an activity during the Annual <\/span><a href=index-1500.html><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OTT Conference<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One to one check-ins with active members: These will allow us to identify and understand your unique challenges and interests. These meetings would allow the OTT team to inform and share its research and analysis (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for instance through private briefings of the <\/span><a href=index-1501.html><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">State of the Sector Report<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, co-design all-funder targeted meetings, and facilitate future offers of <\/span><a href=index-1502.html><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">support and services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An on-demand annual introductory session to think tanks and how to support them for new members of their staff.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As funders, special recognition on OTT&#8217;s website and in materials related to the Annual OTT Conference and other OTT flagship projects reflecting your support level.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"o-button o-button--black\" href=index-1366.html target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Are you looking for bespoke support? Find out more about our services for funders<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><b>Current participants<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Members include representatives of the following organisations:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funding members:<span class=\"c-note__icon js-note\" data-note=\"Funding members provide long term funding to the On Think Tanks programme or one of its projects\"><span>+<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The William &amp; Flora Hewlett Foundation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Robert Bosch Foundation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mercator Stiftung<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open Society Foundations<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other participants include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Gates Foundation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International Development Research Centre (IDRC)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Internationale Zusammenarbeit\u00a0(GIZ)<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The Jacobs Foundation<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The Belmont Forum<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">The Pew Charitable Trust<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><b>What is OTT&#8217;s role within the Funders&#8217; Circle?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OTT facilitates and supports the Funders\u2019 Circle by providing information, research, and methodologies and by connecting funders with think tanks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We create a space for peer learning, support, and exchange among members.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><b>How to Join?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confirm that you are a funder committed to evidence-informed policymaking, supporting credible, sustainable, well-connected, and equitable policy research systems worldwide and engaging in OTT&#8217;s mission to assist think tanks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complete <a href=viewform0489.html>this form<\/a> &#8211; with the following information:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your name and email<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funder&#8217;s Name<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funder\u2019s URL<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reason for wanting to become a member<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Key issues and questions you have and would like to address through your participation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What do you think you can bring to the Funders\u2019 Circle?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We will get in touch with you right a way.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"o-button o-button--black\" href=index-1503.html target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find out more about the On Think Tanks programme<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is the OTT Funders\u2019 Circle? The Funders&#8217; Circle is an inclusive space that brings together a group of funders dedicated to promoting evidence-informed policymaking and supporting think tanks. The aim of the Funders&#8217; Circle is to help advance credible, sustainable, well-connected, and equitable policy research systems worldwide while supporting OTT&#8217;s mission to assist think [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-2850503","initiative","type-initiative","status-publish","hentry","initiative-types-initiative-article","theme-funding-and-support-think-tanks","theme-understanding-think-tanks"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/initiative\/2850503","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/initiative"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/initiative"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/initiative\/2850503\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2851303,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/initiative\/2850503\/revisions\/2851303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2850503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2850503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}