'Foundations for the future' conference details

  'Foundations for the future: Investing in communities' will explore the evolving role of philanthropy in building resilient, inclusive and sustainable communities. 

Over three days, sessions will cover topics like national philanthropy, social justice, climate action, digital transformation and inclusive grant making. 

  Delegates will engage with leaders in the field, explore innovative strategies and share insights that are helping to empower communities across the UK and beyond.

  

Take a look at what we have in store: 

  

 

Day 1:  Tuesday 8th October

Registration and lunch:  10.30 - 13.00

Sessions:  13.00 - 17.15

Evening activities:  18.30 - 23.00

  

We will begin our Foundations for the Future 2024 conference by setting out UKCF's direction of travel for the next few years, led by our interim Co-CEOs, Ben Robinson and Kaveed Ali, as well as our Chair, Andrew Tuggey.  As guests of Harrogate, delegates will also learn about the important work being done in the region from Two Ridings Community Foundation's CEO, Celia McKeon.

Day one sessions will include:  National philanthropy and how we frame UK philanthropy for the future, the art of storytelling, social justice and the practical responsibilities behind pursuing and funding social justice, becoming a net zero organisation and effectively integrating climate action into your organisation's strategy, and what progressive grant making can lead to.

  

  

Day 2:  Wednesday 9th October

  

Optional morning activities:  07.00 - 09.30

Sessions:  09.30 - 17.00

Evening activities:  18.30 - 23.00

 

Delegates will kickstart Day 2 with the option of enjoying a morning run/walk with Simon Lawson from Nidderdale Fell and Trail Running Club, as well as taking part in a fun, energising activity to build team connections, led by PACT.

Day two sessions will include: Designing inclusive grant making, approaches to tackling environmental issues at a local level, the critical role of local journalism in strengthening democracy, involving young people in decision making and elevating young voices, the future of work and how to challenge traditional models, the use of artificial intelligence in everyday practices and what good governance should look like in the next decade. 

   

 

Day 3:  Thursday 10th October

  

Sessions:  09.00 - 13.15

Lunch:  13.30 - 14.30

  

Thursday morning's main session will be delivered by a panel of experts, including community leadership expert Jon Alexander from Citizens Project.  The panel will identify principles of participatory leadership, the critical characteristics of successful societies and the different roles that leaders must play in resourcing communities to develop in the ways they want to.

Day three sessions will include: Our 'UKCF Talks' insights and learnings (inspired by TED Talks) from the field of philanthropy, an imagination-focused session that will encourage practical and creative actions from our delegates, plus final words of reflection and next steps from UKCF. 

Stick around afterwards for the opportunity to talk with other delegates, exchange exciting ideas for the future and enjoy a delicious lunch buffet before your travels!

 

Useful things to know 

  

This year, our conference is taking place at DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa, HG1 2HU, set in the town of Harrogate. 

There are lots of options nearby for hotel bookings and the nearest bus station is a 10-12 minute walk.  Harrogate's train station is a 13-15 minute walk from the conference.  

Our priority is the enjoyment and wellbeing of our delegates.  This is why there will plenty of opportunities to relax between sessions and converse with other delegates.  We also have dedicated quiet spaces and prayer rooms, and our menu throughout the conference will be vegetarian.

If you would like to know more about what to expect at the conference, or enquire about booking options, please email our Membership team.

   

Meet our sponsors

  

Thank you to our headline sponsor, CCLA.  As a peer and partner of UKCF, CCLA provides core funding and has done so for many years.  More recently, CCLA worked with UKCF and LAMIT to launch our Care Leavers Programme, supporting care leavers throughout England over the next three years.

''As one of the UK's leading investment manager of charity funds and the manager of many UKCF member endowment funds, CCLA believes healthy investment markets depend upon health communities; and communities need both love and money to thrive.  For CCLA, supporting the only vibrant network of organisations with a deep understanding of community need, the ability to stimulate local philanthropy and provide intelligent, sustainable charitable funding in support of community action really is a 'no-brainer'.'

(CCLA at UKCF's 2022 conference)

Learn more about CCLA

 

Learn more about our other conference sponsors below:

  

   

Visit the Evouchers website

  

Visit the Evelyn Partners website

  

Visit the Cazenove website

  

Visit the Rathbones website

Visit the Unity Trust Bank website

Learn about our media partner, Alliance