The Power of Unrestricted Funding and Long-Term Partnerships - GSR Foundation

At unconnected.org, we’ve always believed that lasting change is built on sustainable partnerships. Today, we are beyond excited to announce the extension of our partnership with the GSR Foundation for an additional three years. This renewed commitment marks a pivotal moment for us as a charity, as it underscores the importance of unrestricted funding in driving real impact in underserved communities.

The Significance of Unrestricted Funding

One of the most pressing challenges that many charities face is the lack of flexibility in how funds are allocated. While project-specific grants are essential for scaling initiatives, unrestricted funding allows organizations like ours to cover crucial overhead costs—such as staff, operations, and infrastructure—which are the backbone of our ability to create meaningful, long-term impact.

By providing us with unrestricted funding, the GSR Foundation is not only investing in our projects but also in the very sustainability of our organization. This enables us to focus on what matters most: connecting the most remote and underserved communities around the world to vital services like education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Most charities spend unrestricted money on overheads like salaries, yet ask any fundraiser - these costs are always the hardest to raise. Restricted programme funds, on the other hand, remain comparatively easier to raise. This has never made sense to me - if the funder knows how to do the work better than the charity delivering it, why don't they do it themselves?

- James Newell GSR Foundation

Why Long-Term Partnerships Matter

With the planned out support for another three years gives us the stability to plan further ahead. Long-term funding commitments are rare, but they are crucial for charities striving to make a lasting difference. This kind of support ensures that we are not only reacting to immediate needs but also proactively working towards systemic change.

We are particularly grateful for their trust in our mission and for recognizing the value of covering overhead costs. These are often seen as less glamorous but are absolutely essential to ensuring that we can continue to function at full capacity.

With this support, we can focus on what we do best: connecting communities through innovative and sustainable solutions.

A Call to Action for Other Organizations

I truly believe this type of support is setting an example that more organizations should follow. Charities need flexible, unrestricted funding to be truly effective. When donors trust their partners to allocate resources where they are most needed, it empowers us to be agile, innovative, and resilient in the face of challenges.

Unrestricted funding, coupled with long-term partnerships, has the power to catalyze the charitable environment. It allows organizations to invest in strategic growth, build stronger teams, and create sustainable models that have a far-reaching impact. This is how we create a world where no community is left unconnected.

Stay tuned for updates on how this new funding will be put to work, and thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Cheers / Mea Thompson - Co-Founder unconnected.org