ACF: Association of Charitable Foundations, supporting the UK's foundations and grant-making charities
Association of Charitable Foundations
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Join us at this year's ACF Conference

To download the booking form please click here

ACF Conference BMA House 


This year's ACF conference is supported by:

    Schroders   CCLA   Buzzacot & Co

      Farrer & Co


The ACF annual conference is the must-attend event of the year for independent funders and charitable grant-makers. The conference provides an inspiring setting at BMA House in which to listen, learn, share, link-up and develop. Our conference provides a mix of stimulating speeches, lively and informative plenary sessions; fascinating workshops on a wide range of topics relevant to foundations; and unparalleled networking opportunities.

To see the complete conference programme, including speakers, workshops, plenaries and the booking forms, please download the brochure. Booking forms can be downloaded separately.


Recession proof prices
For the third consecutive year we have frozen our conference fee. Early bird rates for members booking before 10 August will be £175, with the standard member discount rate at £195 and the non-member rate at £225.


Workshops
This year we feature 14 breakout sessions, covering a wide range of key issues for trusts and foundations. Here is a sample:

  • Understanding and measuring wellbeing  - with speakers from the new economics foundation and Big Lottery Fund;
  • the new Government’s approach to international development;
  • investment issues, with presenters from CCLA and Schroders;
  • measuring grantee perception, and third sector trends

Delegates will need to choose one workshop for the morning session and another for the afternoon. 


Plenary sessions
The opening plenary will take stock of events since the election and explore their implications for the funding environment. Taking a look at the ‘big picture’ of the trends and forces affecting members (and the organisations they fund), will be a panel of leaders from the arts (Jonathan Reekie, Chief Executive of Aldeburgh Music), from local government (Lucy de Groot CBE), and from the voluntary sector (Geoff Mulgan, Director of the Young Foundation).  The session will be chaired by Danielle Walker Palmour.

The afternoon plenary will focus on 'Navigating uncertainty: challenges and opportunities' as Professor Marilyn Taylor draws from her research on the voluntary sector over many years and offers her observations on how independent funders can support civil society at this critical time. 


Pre-conference informal networking event
To give you additional opportunities to make key connections in a relaxed atmosphere we have arranged an informal pre-conference networking dinner in the stunning Rotunda restaurant at Kings Place, near King’s Cross. Conference delegates, ACF members and their guests are all very welcome to attend. More details can be found in the booking form available for download at the top of the page.


Accomodation
A range of accommodation options located near to BMA House can be viewed on this map.


Bursaries for small trusts
A limited number of bursaries are available on a first-come, first-served basis for members from small trusts – please contact carol@acf.org.uk if you are interested in applying for a place.


If you have any questions about our conference and would like to get in touch, please email mike@acf.org.uk.



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