In March 2026, the Foundation contributed £150,000 over three years towards Public Interest Research Centre’s (PIRC) core costs. PIRC delivers narrative change work, focusing on areas where dominant narratives have disproportionately harmed marginalised communities, including antiracism/migrant justice, transgender liberation and gender liberation, disability justice, class justice and climate justice. They build grassroots narrative power and leadership among UK-based social movements, campaigners, activists and organisers through convening, training, and research.
We committed to this grant because it was an interesting fit across all our funding areas. Advancing justice is central to PIRC’s identity and methodology, and their structure and programmes are designed for and with people who have lived experience of systemic oppression. We also appreciated their work building and evidencing the importance of storytelling in creating long term change.
On their experience of applying to us, Anu, Head of Operations at PIRC said: “We took John Ellerman Foundation up on their offer to share feedback prior to submission at Stage One. The feedback (from Beth) was detailed and very useful, and helped us get clear on how best to demonstrate our impact. We appreciated that only applicants with a genuine chance of success are taken through to the second stage, and the clarity and transparency around the process and timelines made it easier to plan our work.”
