We asked Dan Finn, Global Prayer and Mission Director at The Lancaster Foundation, some important questions:
Marmite – love it or hate it?
Hate it with a passion 😊
What’s one value that guides your funding decisions?
Prayer. We pray before all our funding decision meetings and often when we meet with projects that we are supporting or those who we are considering supporting. We want God to guide and lead us as we steward this work.
What does “impact” look like to you?
I think it can be many things to be honest. We’re not all about the numbers, though of course sometimes that’s great to see and is a tangible measure. We like to get out where we can, and see the work first hand. Listening to the stories of change and the powerful, transforming journey of relationships, as people walk side by side with those they serve.
What kind of change are you most passionate about supporting?
Our vision is to see the story of God’s love and kindness expressed through words and actions and to bring hope to our world. We are passionate about partnering with charities that bring transformation to their communities through social justice, creative arts, mission, recreation and through youth and children’s work. Change comes in so many ways as we partner with God in using our creativity to share His love.
What’s one hope you have for the sector in the next few years?
There are so many great charities doing so much amazing work across the UK and beyond. I think leaders are starting to collaborate more and this is something we love to see and want to see more of. Something powerful happens when kingdom partnerships form and people work together for God’s glory.
What’s something you’re experimenting with or learning right now?
For me personally, I’m learning to write jazz music at the moment, which is a lot of fun! In terms of the charity, our office base is also a House of Prayer and Retreat space so we are learning and experimenting with how we bring prayer into much more of what we do at the Foundation; including offering charity leaders and their teams space to retreat so they can ‘breathe in’ the presence of God in order to keep ‘breathing out’ God’s love in the communities that they serve.
What do you think about the use of AI in the funding space?
Good question!? I think AI has real potential to help people in this space, particularly in the areas of research and administration. However, as with all new technology it’s vital that we tread carefully and that we use it lightly as a tool to support and not something that takes over and begins to lead us in our thinking or decision making.
What are your key funding priorities at the moment?
We are excited to hear about the growing numbers of youth and young adults who are exploring faith and finding hope in Jesus. Work with young people has always been a priority of ours, alongside several other areas, and it is exciting to see how open this generation is to the message of God’s love.
