The Association of Charitable Foundations has announced it is launching a new project to support grant-making bodies and to develop better practice for foundations.
The ACF, the membership body for endowed foundations and charitable trusts in the UK, announced the launch of its Stronger Foundations project today, and said it would identify leading practice for foundations in response to what it called “the sector’s desire to develop its practice in areas such as good grant-making, learning and impact, diversity, and transparency”.
The association is planning on holding a one-day scoping event with its members, as well as beneficiary groups and other funding experts, sometime in the autumn.
A spokesman for the ACF said the project represented “a significant and long term focus” for the organisation, and said it “won’t just lead to a report, but to measurable outcomes that will be of benefit” for members and beneficiaries.
He also said that the project stemmed from a recent internal review the ACF had carried out, and represented a major shift in policy for the organisation.
In Fundraising Magazine
Carol Mack, chief executive of ACF, said: “Charitable foundations make a huge contribution to civil society and communities across the UK, with grants of over £2.7bn per year. This project is about enhancing their contribution further by drawing on beneficiary views and leading expertise from within the funding community.
"Our aim is to spread leading practice among foundations, to support them to be ambitious and effective in the way that they use their resources.”
Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, said: “Better grant-making practice and increased transparency make it easier for grantees and foundations to work together effectively for the people and causes they care about.
“There is already a lot of exemplary practice to learn from among foundations, and this project presents an important opportunity to share it and to help all foundations work to the standards set by the best. I know charities will welcome this important project and I look forward to seeing its results.”
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