Results Analysed 2023
The following graphs show a breakdown of the scores for the assessed foundations.
Number of foundations achieving each rating –
both overall, and within each pillar.
A main finding is that practice on diversity is weaker than practice on the other pillars. No foundation scored A on diversity, whereas many of the foundations were rated A on the other two pillars: 57 for transparency and 19 for accountability.
Overall Rating
This graph illustrates a breakdown of how the assessed foundations faired overall.
7 foundations got an A.
35 foundations got a B.
35 foundations got a C.
23 foundations got a D.
Transparency
This graph illustrates a breakdown of how the assessed foundations faired on the transparency pillar.
57 foundations got an A. 13 foundations got a B. 12 foundations got a C. 18 foundations got a D.
Diversity
This graph illustrates a breakdown of how the assessed foundations faired on the diversity pillar.
0 foundations got an A. 8 foundations got a B. 44 foundations got a C. 48 foundations got a D.
Accountability
This graph illustrates a breakdown of how the assessed foundations faired on the accountability pillar.
19 foundations got an A. 27 foundations got a B. 17 foundations got a C. 37 foundations got a D.
Foundations which scored A’s overall
Seven foundations achieved an overall rating of A: the Wellcome Trust, the Blagrave Trust, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, John Ellerman Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Walcot Educational Foundation and Oxfordshire Community Foundation.
Diversity
0 7 0 0
Accountability
7 0 0 0
Transparency
7 0 0 0
Foundations which scored B’s overall
35 foundations got a B overall. 1 foundation achieved a B grade and 34 foundations scored a C grade in the Diversity pillar. The other two pillars were quite different. Accountability: 11 foundations scored an A, 18 scored a B and 6 scored a C. Transparency: 31 foundations scored an A, 4 scored a B.
Diversity
0 1 34 0
Accountability
11 18 6 0
Transparency
31 4 0 0
Foundations which scored C’s overall
35 foundations scored a C overall. Most foundations in this bracket scored a D in diversity, again illustrating the work the sector has to do to improve on diversity. Accountability and transparency had a mixture of different scores. For accountability, the most common grade is D, and for transparency, the most common grade was a A.
Diversity
0 0 10 25
Accountability
1 9 10 15
Transparency
19 9 7 0
Foundations which scored D’s overall
The last graph shows those who scored a D and its breakdown. 23 foundations overall got a D grade. All foundations in this group got a D on diversity. Additionally, most of the foundations got a D in accountability and transparency.
Diversity
0 0 0 23
Accountability
0 0 1 22
Transparency
0 0 5 18
These graphs illustrate that most foundations are pretty consistent in their practice: few are great at some things and very poor at others. Similarly, those foundations that achieved A overall scored B on diversity; and that those that scored D overall did marginally better on accountability and transparency than they did on diversity.
Foundations scoring zero in each pillar
Foundations scoring zero in each pillar
Some foundations scored 0. Unsurprisingly, diversity had the highest amount of 0 scores (22). 4 foundations scored 0 on transparency.
Diversity – 22 Accountability – 0 Transparency – 4
Questions on which the foundations collectively scored highest
Does the foundation give any information on who or what it funded?
Does the foundation publish who its staff are on its website?
Is there contact information provided on the foundation’s website?
Level of information provided about the awarded grants.
Does the foundation have an investment policy and coverage of investment policy?
Does the foundation have a website?
Does the foundation state how to apply for funding?
Does the foundation publish any eligibility criteria for what it funds?
For approximately what percentage of the foundation’s funding programmes is information given on who made the funding decisions (either a panel or a person)?
Does the foundation publish on its website any information about its funding priorities?
Questions on which the foundations collectively scored lowest
Inclusion of specific numerical targets to improve diversity of trustees or board members.
Coverage of targets in any diversity plan for staff.
Ways to contact the foundation for people who have disabilities?
Does the foundation publish a breakdown of the diversity of its staff?
More than one way given for contacting the foundation concerning malpractice.
Does the foundation publish a breakdown of the diversity of its trustees/board members?
Whether any staff diversity plan includes specific, numerical targets.
If the foundation funds recipients in Wales, is a Welsh language format provided?
Is there a mechanism to report malpractice concerns (whistle blowing)?
Examples of particularly good practice