Benefits of ACF membership

“The ability to connect with and learn from colleagues in other trusts and foundations is so beneficial.”
Caroline Broadhurst, deputy chief executive, Rank Foundation 

ACF membership is issued per organisation so that all employees and trustees can make the most of our benefits.

View our membership benefits information leaflet for more information and how to join.

Information and guidance  

We keep our members informed of the issues that affect them through:

• Funders' News - our monthly digital newsletter summarising key information UK foundations need to know about changes in charity regulation and within the sector
  
  
• Regular briefings on key policy issues affecting trusts and foundations, such as safeguarding, governance and fraud guidance
  
  
• Sharing the results of member surveys - including an annual salary and benefits survey
  
  
• Free copies of our publications which provide vital reference material or summarise current thinking
  
  
• Resources such as Stronger Foundations case studies and the Stronger Foundations self-assessment tool, developed as part of the Stronger Foundations project that aims to help grant-making charitable foundations identify and pursue excellent practice.
    

Events and networking  

We connect trustees and foundation professionals by providing a safe space, in person, online and in print for the sharing of knowledge, experience and best practice. Our members benefit from:

• Discounted fees for events, as well a significant discount to attend our conference – the biggest trust and foundation sector event of its kind. 

• Exclusive access to member networks on areas of funding interest or grant-making practice

• An annual reception for foundation chairs and special events for foundation leaders

• Events exploring foundation approaches to responsible, sustainable and impact-driven investing, and discounted fees for the Social Impact Investors Group (SIIG)

• Support from a dedicated staff team to answer queries and put members directly in touch with their peers

Policy and resources 

We strive to increase public understanding of the work and role of UK trusts and foundations, and for an enabling policy and operating environment for charitable foundations.

Our sustained engagement with governments, policymakers and charity regulators provides a platform for members to voice their perspectives, resulting in greater collective influence on legislation and decision-makers. Through our policy work we represent members and the wider sector foundations by:

• Defending the independence of foundations so they can operate flexibly and in a way that is most aligned to their individual missions

• Engaging with officials within the charity regulators and government departments to influence legislation, policies and guidance, such as the government's Civil Society Strategy in England & HMRC's guidance on Common Reporting Standard

• Working collaboratively with sector partners to promote the value of the voluntary sector and civil society

• Regional and international collaboration on behalf of members through Philea (the Philanthropy Europe Association), the global WINGS network and individual country and regional forums.

• ACF members can get directly involved with our policy and advocacy work in a range of ways, including: 

  • engaging directly with ACF policy and policymakers in government through the Members' Policy Forum

  • informing ACF policy interaction with government

  • receiving regular updates on ACF’s involvement with sector-wide initiatives, including the Funder Commitment on Climate Change and the Funders’ Collaborative Hub