Foundations must not “shy away” from their past and should ensure they understand the origins of their wealth, the chief executive of the Association of Charitable Foundations has said.
Speaking at ACF’s annual conference in London this week, Carol Mack said foundations in the UK had an “extraordinary past”, but with “such a rich history comes complexity”.
She said: “We know that the origins of some foundation wealth are intertwined with difficult histories – exploitation of the trafficking of enslaved people and other historic injustices.
“Understanding our past, where wealth came from and its impact, helps us see how those legacies continue to shape the context in which we work today.”
Mack said that many foundations had already been on this journey by revisiting their founding stories, exploring new lines of inquiry and “asking tough questions about power and purpose”.
She said: “There are differing perspectives both in the foundation sector and beyond – have foundations always been a force for progress? Or have they, at times, reinforced the very systems and inequities they seek to transform?
“This is not a question to shy away from. It’s one we must face with honesty.”
Mack said real transformation “demands courage to confront the visible and invisible barriers that hold us back, as well as the wisdom to preserve the legacies and traditions worth keeping”.
She said the “defining megatrends of our time” – such as changing patterns of inequality and social polarisation, rapid technological change and volatile climate impacts and geopolitical shifts – would continue to evolve and their influence would endure.
“Change is the one constant in a world experiencing rapid, often turbulent, social, economic and political shifts,” said Mack.
“For foundations, this makes three things clear: you need to stay resilient in uncertain times, remain relevant to the causes and communities you serve, and be ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“But it also calls for something more ambitious – bold imagination.”
Mack said “surviving these headwinds is not enough”, adding that foundations “must learn to thrive, despite them and because of them”.
This will look different for every organisation but “this is our moment for blue-sky thinking”, she said.
“To ask: how can disruptive forces be harnessed for good? What would an ideal future look like for society – what does that mean for foundations? How do we need to behave?
“And who do we need to work with? How can we co-create that future, grounded in shared values and collective purpose?
“I know that can feel daunting. But if any group is equipped for this task, it’s you,” Mack said.