The end of crowdfunding, the start of even greater impact

I want to share an important update on Beam as we embark on the next stage of our journey to deliver our mission. Today, we're turning off our donations and crowdfunding functionality. I explain why below.

It all started with one person

Back in 2017, I walked into a homeless hostel and met Tony, Beam's first member. I'll never forget what he said after I explained that the public would fund his electrician training:
"But I don't understand. Why would anyone help me?"

But 135 kind strangers paid for it. Tony got his City & Guilds qualification, then an entry level job, and has worked ever since as an electrician. For years, he's worked in a hospital. During the pandemic, he literally kept the lights on.

From there we built a movement

Tony was just the first. With a pioneering model alongside The Beam Foundation that allowed 100% of donations to fund financial barriers for disadvantaged people, we've supported over 5,000 disadvantaged people into jobs and homes. With your generosity, we've achieved more than I dared to dream.

Our movement established a new model for housing people

But that wasn't all that we achieved. We also began selling innovative employment and housing services to local councils, while The Beam Foundation¹ continued to steward charitable donations.

Today, with over seven years of data on the impact of our services, I'm proud to say that we are able to transition the funding of members' expenses from crowdfunding of charitable donations to sustainable government funding.

Together, we've proven that these services are critical, effective and that local councils should invest in them. With government backing, we are moving towards a future where we can support far more people than would be possible with a donations-based model.

What this means for you

From today, we will switch off monthly donations made through our website beam.org.

If you'd like to continue supporting vulnerable people, The Beam Foundation will continue as a grant-making charity aligned with the same charitable objectives. You can donate via the JustGiving link on their website.

Alternatively, we hope that you find another worthy cause – there is no shortage of them, sadly, nor excellent charities and social enterprises, many facing tough times.

We're also investing in tech to support even more people

We've always tried to use modern technology to drive social good. Back in 2017, that meant crowdfunding. Today, that means AI.

Last year, we began building AI tools for Beam's caseworkers. The tools saved them hours each week creating casenotes and documents. They freed up our team to provide more human-centred frontline support.

We've since put these tools in the hands of others tackling social problems. Our AI tool, Magic Notes, is today used by most of the UK's social care teams, in their vital work to support vulnerable adults and children around the UK.

Thank you and looking forward

This is a bittersweet moment. For many of us, Beam is synonymous with crowdfunding. You made that possible. Thank you. And thank you from thousands of members who I know feel deep gratitude. Together, we leave a legacy of brighter futures for thousands of people and their children.

Our next chapter will be defined by sustainable and innovative government funded services for the most disadvantaged people in our communities and AI tech for those on the frontline of social problems. But our goal is unchanged: to ensure every Tony has the support they need to be amazing.

Onwards always,
Alex