The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) has published a report on the importance of strategic thinking and governance in charitable foundations.

‘Strategy and Governance: The Pillars of Stronger Foundation Practice’ sets out seven characteristics of excellent foundation practice.

These include being aware of external context and its role in the wider ecosystem, publicly articulating its vision, mission and values and continually strengthening its governance arrangements – including board diversity.

The report finds that stronger foundations:

• Will pursue long-term objectives while also pivoting to meet today’s needs.
• Will pursue short and long-term goals and regularly review their own perpetuity.
• Involve people with lived experience when setting strategy, seek and respond to criticism and find ways to be accountable to their community.

Commenting on its publication, ACF Chief Executive Carol Mack said:

“Strategy and governance are incredibly important and easy to take for granted. They are at the heart of what makes for an ambitious and effective organisation which maximises its potential for social good. For foundations – who frequently have few of the checks and balances that come with the need to raise funds, or to deliver services – these are especially important issues. A strong strategic and governance framework is vital to clearly set out what the organisation is working towards and how decisions are made, allowing trustees, staff and stakeholders the confidence to know that decisions serve the public benefit the charity is committed to deliver.”