Connect for Change: The Partnership Exchange
Connect for Change
Bringing charities and businesses together for mutual support
Applications open on 00 January 2026
We are so excited to invite you to The Partnership Exchange: a relaxed, interactive evening bringing charities and local businesses together to talk honestly and explore how we can support each other. This is a hands-on, interactive evening with no panels or PowerPoint overload, just two carefully designed activities that help charities and businesses make real connections and leave with clear actions.
A collaboration between The Pearce Foundation and Enjoolata Foundation, supported by Brighton Chamber.
Hosted by: Benita Matofska
Event details
Date: Tuesday 10 March 2026
Time: 5.30pm arrival | 6.00–8.00pm event | 8.00–8.30pm informal networking
Venue: Fitzherbert Community Hub, 2 Bristol Rd, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1AP
Who’s coming: Limited to 25 charities and 25 businesses
What is The Partnership Exchange?
A fun, facilitated evening with interactive activities that help charities and businesses to:
connect and create meaningful partnerships that lead to tangible change
share common challenges and opportunities
explore what support is needed (beyond money)
identify what skills, resources or insight others in the room can offer
turn good conversations into clear next steps
This is not a formal networking event. It's designed to feel human, supportive and helpful, putting charities and businesses on an equal footing.
Why this event matters
Right now, everyone is feeling the squeeze. Charities are being asked to do more with less, and businesses are navigating their own pressures too. The Partnership Exchange is about widening the lens beyond funding and looking at the many other ways support can show up, from skills and time to ideas, insight, space, and connections.
There is a huge amount of untapped generosity, expertise, and creativity sitting in our local business community. At the same time, charities hold deep knowledge, innovation and lived experience that rarely gets the recognition it deserves. Brighton & Hove has a strong reputation for collaboration and doing things differently, and this evening is about putting that spirit into practice.
The Pearce Foundation and Enjoolata Foundation already work in a “More Than Money” way, offering wrap-around, in-kind support alongside funding. This event brings that approach into one shared space, helping people move away from one-off transactions and towards partnerships that feel useful, balanced and genuinely beneficial on both sides.
What you’ll leave with
At least one meaningful new connection to benefit you and your organisation
At least one clear, practical action to take forward (e.g. a skills swap agreed, a resource shared, an introduction made)
How to Sign up
This event is for charities and not-for-profits who want to build stronger relationships with local businesses, and for businesses who are interested in supporting their community in ways that go beyond a cheque or a logo. It is for people who are open to conversation, collaboration, and trying something a little different.
Places are limited so that the evening stays personal and focused. Everyone is asked to apply so we can create a thoughtful mix in the room.
We are SO excited to be hosting The Partnership Exchange together with The Pearce Foundation. If you are curious about what partnership could look like beyond the usual models, or if you are simply ready to meet people who care about similar things, we would love to welcome you.
Complete our short online form (applications open 00 January 2026) via the button below: