# Foundations should advance social change, argues report

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2002/12/02/foundations-should-advance-social-change-argues-report/
- Published: 2002-12-02T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust’s report “From Charity to Creativity” calls on 
endowed foundations to fund social change and not be content to fill in the gaps
in government funding.
Authors Helmut Anheier and Diana Leat argue that foundations
are some of the most free and independent organisations in society so should use
that position to promote alternative solutions and fund social change. They argue
that endowed charitable foundations have changed little in 200 years: “endowed foundations
should… concentrate on doing those things only they have the potential to do better
than other institutions,” they say.

The criticism of a lack of innovation is not shared by Nigel Siederer, former chief
executive of the Association of Charitable Foundations. He told the Guardian: “lots
of foundations do try and effect social change, but it’s not obligatory.”

Read “Trust deeds” by Alison Benjamin at SocietyGuardian.

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