ACF conference 2025

26 November, County Hall, London

ACF’s flagship conference is the UK's leading event for charitable foundation leaders, trustees and staff. 

ACF conference 2025 brought together over 300 staff and trustees from small, medium and large foundations across the UK’s foundation and trust sector. The day featured thought-provoking and inspiring learning and meaningful exchanges on how the sector can rise to the challenges faced the future.

Special thanks to our amazing speakers, Official Partners, corporate partners and sponsors.

View a roundup of press coverage from the day.

Next ACF conference: 25 November 2026
Details to follow.

Future-ready foundations: building resilience, relevance and readiness

Foundations of all sizes are facing fast change and growing complexity. The conference was all about what it takes to stay resilient in uncertain times, remain relevant to the communities you serve, and be ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

"When foundations operate with integrity and impact, they strengthen the entire ecosystem."

These closing words from David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission for England and Wales, perfectly captured the spirit of the conference. Read David’s full speech.

The closing plenary included an address from ACF chief executive Carol Mack. Read Carol's closing speech.

You can also read Carol's reflections on the day.

Breakout workshop resources 

W1: AI ready – practical steps and ethical considerations – Better Society Capital, along with Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Blackbaud  
Download the presentation slides.

W2: Philanthropy’s mandate to build narrative power that strengthens democracy – Oak Foundation, along with POMOC, John Ellerman Foundation, Elemental and Both/And Solutions
Download the resource links.

W3: Social sector scaffolding: how best to invest in future leaders? – Collective Futures, along with Josh Falconer-Roberts, Caireen Goddard, Celia Hannon and Charlie Leadbeater
Download the presentation slides.

W4: The power in pooling – Wellcome Trust and Devon Community Foundation, along with Regenerative Futures Fund
Download the resource links.

W5: Using data to understand social divides and inequality: a place-based approach – Mime
Download the presentation slides. See also the Mime website.

W6: Future-proofing your investment portfolio in a new world of geopolitical, political and inflation volatility – ACF Official Partner, Ruffer
Download the presentation slides.

W7: AI's relationship with foundations' missions – CAST – Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology
Download the presentation slides.

W8: Futures, funding and racial equity – Corra Foundation
Resources to follow.

W9: How can funders prepare for the impact of future trends? – Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT), along with Combat Stress
Download the presentation slides.

W10: Funding work-ready futures – skills for a changing world – Commercial Education Trust (CET), along with Good Place Company, The Quilter Foundation and EconBridge
Download the presentation slides.

W11: How the British Seven segments can help charities in 2020s Britain – More in Common
Resources to follow.

W12: Better by design: CCLA’s strategies for endowed charitable trusts and foundations – ACF Official Partner, CCLA
Resources to follow.

ACF conference 2025 was kindly supported by our Official Partners

ACF conference 2025 was kindly supported by our Corporate partners

ACF conference 2025 was kindly sponsored by: