Statement from our CEO, Kate Hainsworth

While our mission is opportunity for all, there are times when we feel the need to stand alongside a particular section of our community and extend our solidarity and active support. We see you. We hear you. We value you.

Reflecting on opportunity for all in the context of the shocking killing of George Floyd and the high death toll among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic populations in the UK from Coronavirus, we believe this current spotlight on endemic racial injustice in our society gives us a chance to play our part in changing it.

I’m really grateful to colleagues and trustees who have been open to some difficult conversations, and the help I’ve had in understanding, listening and thinking about ways forward. As CEO of Leeds Community Foundation and GiveBradford, and a white person, I see the privilege we hold as grant makers, and am determined to act to build inclusion, equity and access to opportunity.

While we have worked hard for some years to embed diversity and inclusion into our work; and are proud to have made progress, we recognise that reports such as ACEVO’s Home Truths show what the charity sector needs to do to root out racism and improve diversity and representation.
We are part of that sector.

What I have learned so far (and I know there is further to go) is that if we inform ourselves better, and listen better to Black communities and leaders: we will better understand how we can eradicate racism and barriers to accessing grants and opportunities.

We will make the necessary changes to our systems and processes.

We will continue to ask difficult and sometimes uncomfortable questions about our processes and where they contribute to racial inequality.

We will continue to act in the spirit of honesty, hope and humility referenced here by #CharitysoWhite.

We stand together. Black Lives Matter.