Surrey Family Foundations Network

Issue:
Grant-making practices
 • 
Activities:
Peer learning
 • 
Information-sharing
 • 
Aligning processes
 • 
Co-ordinating funding
 • 
Location:
South East
Stage:
Existing collaboration

Aims and activities

Aims and questions

Aims and activities

The Surrey Family Foundation Network has been inspired by ACF's Family Foundations Network - we want to create a safe space where like-minded foundation staff and trustees can come together to share best practice in grant-making and foundation management.  

Our network launched in October 2023 and we will be holding 2-3 face-to-face sessions a year. The aim is to build up a network of people who can also get help from one another in between meetings. We hope that together we can all support one another to think deeply about our giving, with a shared aim of making as much positive difference as we can.

We anticipate that the network will cover issues such as:

  • Grant making - assessing and checking, prioritising who to fund
  • Governance - membership and operation of boards of trustees, succession planning, EDI
  • Fund management - impact and ethical investing

In designing events, we will be led by the needs and interests of the network's members.

We anticipate that the network may lead to foundations sharing best practice, or even ultimately create potential for shared funding opportunities. However in the initial phase we want to create an informal network of peers who can provide help and support to one another in the shared aim of good grant-giving.

How to get involved

We are open to trustees and staff of family foundations based in Surrey. The network will be an informal space to come together and talk to others running family foundations about the challenges and opportunities.

Foundations do not have to be awarding grants in Surrey, although many attendees will be doing so, but if you are based in Surrey and would like to talk to like-minded people you would be very welcome.

To get involved or find out more, contact Rebecca Bowden at Community Foundation for Surrey.

Who's involved

Who was involved

Who was involved

Community Foundation for Surrey is convening the network as several of our fund owners also have family foundations. We have also worked with Wates Foundation and Peter Harrison Foundation when drafting the plans for the network and we're very grateful for their insight.

Learning and Resources

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