Staff
Edge Fund is a member-led funding organisation. Grantees are involved in the process of redistributing funds to grassroots campaigns, from reviewing applications to supporting grassroots groups across the UK and Ireland. The day-to-day administration of Edge Fund is handled by our Staff with the support of the Core Group.
If you want to find out more about EF or get involved, get in touch with us at [email protected]
Illary / Illa Valenzuela Oblitas
(She/her) Regional Organiser
I have been part of the migrant justice movement for a decade where I've learned from my own Latin American community the multiplicity of models when organising for social justice outside of the Western framework. I am particularly inspired by youth-led movements and have collaborated with a few youth groups to campaign against the Hostile Environment permeating our neighbourhoods and schools.
About my work at Edge, I view that mobilising resources, redistributing wealth, and engaging in reparations are some of the key areas needed in the philanthropic sector as well as its total abolition.
Contact me for any queries or comments on how to support grassroots groups and organisers.
Email: [email protected]
Core group
Mijael Jiménez (he/him)
I have been a Core Group member at Edge Fund since September 2022. I have been involved in London-based campaigns of solidarity with different social movements in Mexico and Latin America for the past 10 years. With them I have been part of multiple events and projects, including tours to the UK and Europe of Human Rights defenders, survivors of State violence, journalists, mothers of the movement against enforced disappearances, and members of different indigenous communities resisting against extractivism and State violence. I also support Human Rights organisations in Chiapas, Mexico, by referring organisers to act as Human Rights observers in indigenous communities affected by the militarisation of their territories. I am happy to be part of Edge Fund and support radical grassroots organisations whose work is key to push for a different world.
Nehanda Sankofa
I have been a Core Group member at Edge Fund since September 2022. I have been organising in Pan-Afrikan organisations and spaces since 2006. Campaigning for the rights of Black Afrikan people globally and locally. I have campaigned for deaths in custody to racial discrimination in the British school system, while supporting political education programs and events to inform our community. I have also worked and organised in the London-based black supplementary school system for 10 years, alongside creating programs for black children of all ages and separate programs for adults supporting family structures. I am happy to be a part of an organisation like Edge Fund who understands the importance of supporting the communities whose voice is often unheard and unsupported.
Patrick Boase
I lived in communes in the 70s, and initiated 2 wholefood co-operatives. I have worked as a consultant and trainer in the voluntary sector. I also call myself a wealth activist, because for 40 years I have been bringing together people with wealth to cooperate over giving grants to radical causes. For me the Edge Fund crucially enables decisions about its grants to be made by grassroots activists. My contribution to Edge is currently as Treasurer and member of the Core Group.