Join ACF and Funder Safeguarding Collaborative for a practical in-person workshop designed to help trusts and foundations understand their safeguarding responsibilities, reflect on current practice and identify clear next steps for safer grant-making.
Safeguarding is a core part of responsible grant-making.
For trusts and foundations, it is not only about having the right policies in place, but about understanding how decisions, relationships and funding practices can help create safer organisational cultures for the people and communities their funding is intended to support.
This introductory workshop, delivered with Funder Safeguarding Collaborative, will explore what good safeguarding practice looks like in a grant-making context. Drawing on the ACF-FSC Safeguarding framework for foundations and ACF’s Funding Practices resources on how grant-makers can avoid causing harm, the session will help participants consider the expectations on their own organisation, recognise strengths and gaps in current approaches, and identify practical actions to strengthen safeguarding across their work.
The workshop will also draw on FSC’s five years of collective learning with funders, and their recent report Shaping Safer Practice. Since 2021, FSC has supported a growing network of more than 115 organisations to share practice, test ideas and strengthen safeguarding approaches worldwide. This session will connect that wider learning to the practical realities facing UK trusts and foundations today.
Through facilitated discussion, peer learning and practical reflection, participants will have space to explore continuing safeguarding challenges, consider how safeguarding connects with grant-making processes, and leave with clearer next steps for their organisation.
Why attend?
- Understand key safeguarding expectations for trusts and foundations.
- Explore how safeguarding relates to grant-making practice, governance and organisational culture.
- Use the ACF-FSC Safeguarding framework to reflect on your organisation’s current approach.
- Identify strengths, gaps and practical steps to develop safer practice.
- Learn from peers facing similar questions and challenges.
- Find out where to access further support, resources and guidance.
Who should attend?
This workshop is designed for grant-making foundations at an introductory level. It will be particularly relevant for grants managers, CEOs and senior leaders, trustees, and staff with responsibility for governance, risk, operations, programme delivery or safeguarding.
Speaker
Clair Cooke, UK Safeguarding Advisor,
Funder Safeguarding Collaborative.
Event details
Date: Thursday 15 October 2026
Time: 2pm–5pm
Format: Workshop (in-person)
Location: Central London venue to be confirmed
Level: Introductory
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]
Safeguarding is an essential part of effective, responsible grant-making.
Book your place now to strengthen your understanding, learn from peers and take practical steps towards safer practice in your foundation.