CEO blog | Seven years on: benchmarking progress in foundation board diversity
27 October 2025
ACF's chief executive, Carol Mack, highlights the continuing need for more diverse, inclusive and representative boards across the foundation sector.
Just 6% of foundation trustees in England and Wales are from communities experiencing racial inequity – far below their 18% share of the UK population.
The need for further progress is clear, with foundations – and charities more broadly – still lagging behind the corporate sector (the equivalent figure for board members of FTSE 100 companies is 19%).
Nevertheless, this is a significant improvement since the last comparable data for foundations was measured in 2018. Since then, there has been a sea change in the recognition that diversity is an important factor in the effectiveness of boards – notwithstanding the substantive reasons why some foundations may find it difficult to reflect the communities they serve.
What has been measured?
In April 2025 the Charity Commission and PBE published new data on the demographics of charity trustees across England and Wales. We’re grateful to the Commission for making their data set available, as they did in 2018.
As in 2018, we recently commissioned an analysis of the subset of trustees from grant-making charities – this time from PBE. While this group isn’t a perfect match for ACF’s membership, it’s the best proxy we have.
What the data tells us
Comparisons with the general population show that grant-making trustees do not generally reflect the diversity of wider society.
In 2018, analysis found that 99% of foundation trustees were from White ethnic groups; only 32% were women and 58% were over the age of 64.
The 2025 data shows some change: 6% of trustees are now from communities experiencing racial inequity, 39% are women and 60% are over 65. While age appears to have shifted little, the overall population is also ageing.
In the 2025 analysis nine demographic characteristics are measured, including caring responsibilities, education and personal income. This will enable us to track progress on a much wider interpretation of diversity in the future.
Having the numbers is helpful. They help to track progress, add substance to the conversations we need to have as a sector, and illuminate why further action is needed.
Why diverse boards make foundations stronger
Foundations – as civic actors with substantial independence and assets – are extremely well-placed to play a role in removing barriers and increasing access for communities that have been historically marginalised or underrepresented.
There is a strong business case. A board of trustees that reflects the communities a foundation serves brings tangible benefits. It opens up access to a wider pool of talent, enhances knowledge of the foundation’s mission, increases credibility, and strengthens decision-making. Including diverse perspectives and experiences – encompassing demographic characteristics such as ethnicity, LGBTQ+ identity and age, as well as diversity of thought, skills and life experiences – is critical for foundations to reach their full potential.
A more representative board also deepens public trust – in individual foundations and collectively as a sector. Foundations that are more diverse, more inclusive and working towards more equitable opportunities and outcomes will be confident about their role in society and well-placed to welcome scrutiny.
Foundations’ efforts and the wider movement driving change
The progress we’re seeing reflects action on two fronts. Many ACF members have been working to diversify their boards for years. Some have been intentionally public, such as Esmée Fairbairn Foundation publishing annual results of (anonymised) surveys of trustee and staff diversity, inspiring others to do the same.
Others, including Smallwood Trust and John Ellerman Foundation, have created pathways to trustee roles through board shadowing programmes, and Friends Provident Foundation through paid associate trustee roles to provide training and support to strengthen governance.
These actions sit within a wider ecosystem of support. The Young Trustees Movement provides training and peer networks. Board Racial Diversity UK offers practical guides and challenges problematic practice. Reach Volunteering has a strikingly diverse database of prospective trustees with a wide range of expertise. All keep the issue live and urgent through their campaigning work.
And the Charity Commission for England and Wales has played a vital role too, producing guidance for all charities on the benefits of a representative board and how to recruit for it.
Unique challenges faced by some foundations
As the saying goes, "once you’ve met one foundation – you’ve met one foundation", and there is considerable variation across the 12,000 or so charitable trusts and foundations in the UK.
Many foundations keep their structures intentionally lean, and smaller foundations with fewer trustees and no staff can find it harder to build diverse boards.
Some family foundations have governing documents requiring trustees to be drawn from their founder’s family. But many find alternative ways to bring in diverse experiences and perspectives to contribute to their work.
Recognising trustee contribution
Foundations rely on trustees' generous voluntary commitment, and the dedication of those who give their time and skills in this way is truly inspiring. Filling board vacancies is difficult, so those who step forward make essential contributions.
However, barriers still exist for people from diverse backgrounds. Valuing current trustees whilst striving for greater representativeness of the communities they serve is key to a thriving, sustainable board.
Resources and support for ACF members
We are sharing these new data findings now, ahead of Trustees Week, to inform conversations, encourage reflection and inspire further action.
ACF’s mission is to support foundations to rise to the challenges of our time. Building boards that reflect the communities foundations serve can equip grant-makers with the perspectives and insights needed to tackle today’s complex challenges more effectively.
Everyone can access our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) resources page for more information on excellent practice for foundations. ACF members can also use our Diversifying your board and team resource to support their work. It includes links to case studies drawn from ACF’s membership and other practical help.
But we want to know: what support do you need to take the next step? Whether you’re facing specific barriers, looking for practical guidance or want to share what’s working – please get in touch at [email protected]. Stronger, more representative boards build stronger foundations. And stronger foundations are better equipped to meet the challenges ahead.