Join ACF and Bates Wells for an interactive, practical workshop designed to help trusts and foundations understand key legal issues in grant-making, reflect on current practice and build confidence in applying the law in real-world funding decisions.
Legal considerations are a core part of effective and responsible grant-making.
For trusts and foundations, this is not only about understanding legal concepts, but about how these play out in day-to-day funding decisions, relationships and risk management.
This practical workshop, delivered in partnership with Bates Wells, focuses on applying legal principles in a grant-making context. Using a ‘serious play’ approach, participants will work through a fictional foundation scenario (based on real examples) to explore legal challenges in a structured, accessible way.
Through this lens, the session will bring legal issues to life helping participants understand how different approaches to grant-making create different risks, responsibilities and opportunities. The workshop format is designed to support active participation, peer learning and practical problem-solving.
Working through realistic scenarios, participants will explore how legal frameworks inform decisions about grant processes (including due diligence) and terms and conditions and how to apply these considerations confidently in practice.
The group session will create space for discussion, reflection and shared learning with peers facing similar challenges.
Why attend?
- Understand key legal concepts that underpin grant-making
- Explore how legal frameworks apply to real funding decisions and scenarios
- Build confidence in choosing appropriate grant processes
- Learn what the law requires of trustees and how to apply this in practice
- Identify and manage common legal risks in grant-making
- Learn from peers and share approaches to common challenges
Who should attend?
This workshop is designed for trusts and foundations at an intermediate to advanced level but should be accessible to all. It will be particularly relevant for grants managers, CEOs and senior leaders, trustees, and staff working in governance, risk, operations or programme roles.
This session will also be of use for attendees of previous grant-making and the law sessions with our partners Farrer and Co.
Speakers
Philip Kirkpatrick, Partner,
Bates Wells
Sophie Cass, Senior Associate,
Bates Wells
Event details
Date: Wednesday 30 September 2026
Time: 2pm–5pm
Format: In-person workshop
Location: Hosted by Bates Wells, London
Level: Intermediate / advanced
Price for ACF members: £100
Price for non-members: £200 - non-members are welcome to attend this event if they meet the
criteria for ACF membership.
ACF spaces bring together our wonderful and diverse community, and our intention is to create an atmosphere that is both inclusive and respectful. We are also committed to making this event accessible to everyone.
You can find out more about our Principles of engagement here.
Please get in touch if you have any additional access needs when registering: [email protected]
Understanding how legal frameworks apply in practice is essential for confident, effective grant-making.
Book your place now to build your knowledge, learn from peers and explore real-world scenarios in a supportive, practical environment.