Dear Friends,
In a world where someone can tape a banana to a gallery wall and sell it for millions, it’s clear that catching the world’s attention—let alone its financial backing—is harder than ever. But what if the money flowing into head-scratching spectacles could instead flow into communities that are quietly transforming our planet, one project at a time? To be clear, we are not questioning the value of art. Any art that can capture our attention, change the course of history for the better, must be our most cherished.
Why We’re Here—and Why We Need You
For years, our team—Annabelle, Rob, and Jenny—has worked relentlessly on The Commons Fund (TCF), often for little or no pay. We’ve done this because we believe that real change happens when everyday people have the resources to tackle urgent social and environmental challenges at a local level. It’s not about more well-intentioned institutions talking at communities. It’s about unleashing the power of people on the ground, who understand their own problems and can create their own solutions—if only they had the financial fuel.
Our Mission in Plain Terms
Imagine millions of dollars spent on a banana at Sotheby’s making headlines worldwide. Now imagine those same funds enabling grassroots innovators—people who are cleaning rivers, protecting rainforests, reducing violence, and empowering youth. We believe it’s possible to direct capital that way, and we’re working to convince financiers and big players to do just that: to commit even a small slice of their massive bonds and investments directly into communities that know how to use it best.
A Track Record That Speaks Louder Than Words
Over the past 15 years, we’ve helped countless initiatives succeed, including Teams Army/Forces, SkillsPlanner, Ethos Smart, Team Police, Wilder Sensing, and many others. Our guidance has helped secure multi-million-pound contracts, raised hundreds of thousands in equity funding for startups, and nearly unlocked transformative grants for communities in need—sadly thwarted by needless red tape. With more support, we can cut through that red tape altogether.
Why Now Matters
We’re not interested in corporate box-ticking or empty ESG gestures. We’re building the social backbone for true sustainability—where finance isn’t stuck in institutions, but flowing freely to grassroots changemakers. We’ve been able to support 30 global projects in various ways, but this is just the start. Given the right resources, we can multiply these successes exponentially, convincing major financiers that just a fraction of their portfolios can spark extraordinary results.
How You Can Help
If you understand the absurdity of a million-dollar banana—and know we can do better—then we need you. Funding, advice, introductions to investors, or even just sharing our story can help move money where it matters most. Our goal is to keep pushing forward into 2025 and beyond, making sure community projects no longer lose out due to lack of resources or an overabundance of bureaucracy.
Let’s shift the conversation. Let’s show the world that meaningful investments in people and the planet matter far more than headline-grabbing stunts. If you can provide any level of support—funding, advice, introductions to potential backers, or simply sharing our message—we would be deeply grateful. Every bit helps us move closer to a future where impactful community projects receive the support they deserve.
Let’s ensure the next 15 years bring even more transformative change. Please reach out to let us know how you can help.
The Commons Fund Team