The Fund is designed to provide rapid, flexible financial support to frontline organisations to help offset the impact of widespread funding gaps and sustain essential humanitarian efforts.
Start Network is launching the Solidarity Fund, an initiative to help offset the impact of widespread funding gaps and protect essential humanitarian efforts. The Fund is designed to provide rapid, flexible financial support to frontline organisations at a time when their work is more vital than ever.
This initiative comes at a critical moment for the humanitarian community after several major donors have announced significant funding cuts. As a result of these sudden reductions, humanitarians and the communities they serve now face heightened uncertainty and increased vulnerability.
Reductions in funding have triggered both immediate and long-term consequences for humanitarian organisations. Consultations with Start Network members reported widespread operational disruptions, financial strain, and staff layoffs. Critical activities have been paused or severely scaled back as global emergencies continue to rise and the need for life-saving assistance remains high.
This support to members is tailored to address urgent organisational needs, ensuring that critical humanitarian efforts can continue despite disrupted funding flows. These grants enable members to conclude life-saving activities that are at risk of suspension, implement dignified exit plans where programme closures are unavoidable, and bridge gaps in funding to maintain operations.
"With the generous support of the IKEA Foundation, the Solidarity Fund will help Start Network members sustain critical, life-saving activities during a time of significant funding cuts and financial uncertainty." Christina Bennett, CEO at Start Network emphasises the need for communities to be at the centre of humanitarian responses.
This Fund reflects our commitment to transforming the humanitarian sector into one that is truly accountable to the communities it serves, prioritising their interests and needs above all else, even in the face of challenges.
The Solidarity Fund has received £3.75 million in funding from the IKEA Foundation*.* Hayley Kornblum, Programme Manager at the IKEA Foundation, said:
Humanitarian organisations are facing deep financial challenges at a time when there is an increasing need for their important work. The IKEA Foundation hopes other funders will join in the mission of the Solidarity Fund.
Start Network members are eligible to apply for individual grants of up to £300,000, with the maximum amount available determined by their respective membership tier. The Solidarity Fund will provide targeted support based on the scale and capacity of each organisation, ensuring that assistance is both equitable and responsive to varying operational needs.
Full eligibility criteria and application details can be found here.
An online briefing will be held on 6 May 2025 to provide further details about the project and the application process.
Register to join below:
English / French - 6th May 2025, 09:00 -10:00 (BST)
English / Spanish - 6th May 2025, 16:00 -17:00 (BST)
For interviews and comments, please reach out to:
Matthew Stickland, Head of Communications
matthew.stickland@startnetwork.org