Our Mission
Our purpose
The toughest social challenges exist within complex and complicated systems, where institutions, shifting policy landscapes, external environments and reinforcing feedback loops interact to shape outcomes.
We bring new approaches to complex, system-level problems of social inequality, unfairness, and injustice. We’re here to take on these critical challenges, convene partners, co-develop holistic, sustainable approaches and deliver them together at scale.
How did we get here?
You may already know Elevate Great by our previous name, Cattanach.
Established in 1991 by Phyllis Cattanach as a family trust, Cattanach’s commitment to invest to benefit society initially focussed mainly on children and families. The charity funded organisations and projects supporting children in their early years, most formative years of their life.
We have evolved, building on our roots, and extending those principles to adopt a laser focus on early intervention and prevention. Our work has grown to develop, support and fund programmes focused on long-term impact, extending our reach beyond early years to creating system-level change across the life course.
Today, we work with partners to create the capacity and capabilities needed to identify, develop and scale-up effective solutions which address the UK's most pressing social challenges.
Our values and principles
We're fiercely ambitious for positive social change and collaborating to make it happen.
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Bold
We see unfulfilled potential everywhere – in people, in places, in systems. While progress over centuries shows us what’s possible, we refuse to settle.
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Brave
We name hard truths and challenge broken systems. We’re willing to disrupt, to ask uncomfortable questions, and to lead change even when the path forward is uncertain.
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Human
Real change starts with listening, with empathy, and with designing solutions that reflect the lived realities of people across the UK.
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Energetic
We move with urgency and optimism. We’re channelling our energy into building coalitions, experimenting with new ideas, and sparking lasting change together.
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Evidenced
Our thinking is rooted in research and sharpened by experience. We draw on neuroscience, economics, and real-life stories to back bold ideas with strong evidence.
Annual reports & accounts
Governing documents
