What is the OTT Funders’ Circle?

The Funders’ Circle is an exclusive space that brings together a group of funders dedicated to promoting evidence-informed policymaking and supporting think tanks.

The aim of the Funders’ Circle is to help advance credible, sustainable, well-connected, and equitable policy research systems worldwide while supporting OTT’s mission to assist think tanks.

Join the Funders’ Circle

What can you expect as part of the Circle?

• Engage and connect with peers: As a member, you can engage with fellow funders, experts, and OTT associates on topics relevant to your work and the think tanks you support. Discussions will explore how funders’ practices influence think tanks and the key factors enabling their sustainability, drawing on insights from OTT’s global community.
• Identify collaboration opportunities:  The Funders’ Circle facilitates communication and coordination among members, helping to minimise duplication and maximise impact. Given the diversity of programming cycles, internal rules, and governance structures, this space is key to fostering collaboration.
• Share insights and experiences: Members exchange knowledge and experiences to address common challenges and adapt to changing contexts. This collaborative approach strengthens understanding and enhances effectiveness.
• Develop a shared understanding: The Circle provides a space to build a common and nuanced perspective on think tanks and their role, helping to shape a consistent narrative that can influence change within member organisations.
• Learn and develop your competencies and skills: OTT undertakes research and analysis on think tanks and funders’ practices and share the findings and recommendations with members of the Funders’ Circle.

Benefits from joining

Participants will receive a schedule of services throughout the year, including:

1. Online sessions focused on key topics of shared interest, sometimes featuring contributions from experts and other stakeholders.
2. An invitation to the annual in-person Funders’ Circle Roundtable, held alongside the Annual OTT Conference, which serves as a platform for strategic foresight discussions to identify challenges and opportunities for the think tank sector.
3. Funders’ Circle Newsletter shares early versions and updates of research and analysis, summaries of the online session, and useful news from the world of think tanks through a dedicated newsletter. 

In addition, funding members receive:+

• Priority participation and the chance to convene a session or host an activity during the Annual OTT Conference.
• One to one check-ins with active members: These will allow us to identify and understand your unique challenges and interests. These meetings would allow the OTT team to inform and share its research and analysis (for instance through private briefings of the State of the Sector Report), co-design all-funder targeted meetings, and facilitate future offers of support and services. 
• An on-demand annual introductory session to think tanks and how to support them for new members of their staff. 
• As funders, special recognition on OTT’s website and in materials related to the Annual OTT Conference and other OTT flagship projects reflecting your support level.

Are you looking for bespoke support? Find out more about our services for funders

Current participants

Members include representatives of the following organisations:

Funding members:+

• The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
• The Robert Bosch Foundation
• Mercator Stiftung
• Open Society Foundations

Other participants include:

• The Gates Foundation
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
• The Jacobs Foundation
• The Belmont Forum
• The Pew Charitable Trust

What is OTT’s role within the Funders’ Circle?

OTT facilitates and supports the Funders’ Circle by providing information, research, and methodologies and by connecting funders with think tanks.

We create a space for peer learning, support, and exchange among members.

How to Join?

• Confirm that you are a funder committed to evidence-informed policymaking, supporting credible, sustainable, well-connected, and equitable policy research systems worldwide and engaging in OTT’s mission to assist think tanks.
• Complete this form – with the following information:
  • Your name and email
  • Funder’s Name
  • Funder’s URL
  • Reason for wanting to become a member
  • Key issues and questions you have and would like to address through your participation
  • What do you think you can bring to the Funders’ Circle?
• We will get in touch with you right a way. 

Find out more about the On Think Tanks programme