Charities ‘still lagging behind the corporate sector’ in board level diversity

Only one in 16 trustees of foundation boards are from ethnic minority backgrounds, the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) is warning.

ACF chief executive Carol Mack said that the 6% proportion of trustees at foundations is “still lagging behind the corporate sector”, where 19% of board members are from communities experiencing racial inequality.

Corporate board membership is more aligned to the general population, where 18% are from such backgrounds, the ACF points out.

“The need for further progress is clear,” said Mack, who adds that “there is a strong business case” to improve board level diversity.

“A board of trustees that reflects the communities a foundation serves brings tangible benefits,” she said.

“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.”

Despite foundation boards failing to match their counterparts in the private sector, Mack points out there has been “significant improvement” since 2018, when 99% of foundation trustees were white.

“Since then, there has been a sea change in the recognition that diversity is an important factor in the effectiveness of boards,” she adds.

There has also been a slight improvement in improving representation of women on foundation boards.

While six years ago 32% of foundation trustees were women, the proportion is now 39%.

But representation of younger trustees looks to be worsening, while in 2018 58% of trustees were over the age of 64 data from 2025 shows that 60% are over 65.

Mack says that while progress in reducing the average age of boards has “shifted little”, she points out that “the overall population is also ageing”.