Vicki’s message went out in our 2025 ‘Year in Review’ newsletter, which has replaced our traditional Report on Activities. You can sign up to future newsletters here.
I want to thank everyone who was part of the Baring Foundation’s work in 2025, our partners, grantees, and colleagues. It has been a year of both challenge and progress.
Eighteen months into a Labour Government, we have seen a more open and constructive approach to civil society, exemplified by the new Civil Society Covenant, which we supported through a grant to Civil Exchange. This is welcome, but words must become action. We remain concerned about restrictions on the right to protest and continue to champion the independence of the voluntary sector.
This year has been pivotal across our three programmes. Our Arts programme marked five years of supporting creative opportunities for people living with mental health problems. An independent evaluation confirmed the impact of this work, and we have committed to continue until 2029.
Our Strengthening Civil Society programme celebrated its tenth anniversary. A new strategy will launch in March 2026, but our commitment to legal and human rights-based approaches remains unwavering.
Internationally, our International Development programme continued its partnership with the UK FCDO through the Equal, Safe and Free Fund, while expanding other areas of grant-making. The need for funding for LGBTI communities in sub-Saharan Africa remains urgent, as rights are rolled back and aid budgets shrink.
In September, we took an important step by ring fencing £3 million over five years to deepen our focus on racial equity across the Arts and Strengthening Civil Society programmes.
Demand for grants continues to grow. While there is no single solution, we are proud of the partnerships we have built, from the UK FCDO to Arts Council Northern Ireland, and collaborative initiatives like the Scottish Human Rights Fund and Justice Together. Working together allows us to leverage more resources for the organisations and issues that matter most.
We are constantly inspired by the resilience and creativity of the organisations we support, many operating under increasing pressure and hostility, yet delivering extraordinary impact with limited resources.
We are constantly inspired by the resilience and creativity of the organisations we support.
Finally, a personal note: this has been my first half-year as Chair, and I am grateful for the warm welcome from colleagues and trustees. We said goodbye to our previous chair Lucy De Groot and trustees Rob Berkeley and Shauneen Lambe, and welcomed Nick Capaldi, Hilary Hodgson and Aaliya Seyal to the Board. My thanks also to ING Bank for hosting us so generously.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to continuing our shared work for social justice in 2026 and beyond.