ABSTRACT
Grant-making trusts and foundations1 like to claim that they concentrate their funding on responses to new, recently discovered, or under-recognised needs and problems, including fundamental research and the promotion of ideas and understanding; new and innovative methods of tackling problems, including action research; and disadvantaged and minority groups that have trouble using ordinary services, or which are inadequately served by them. They also fund work which is unpopular, and thus hard to finance through conventional fundraising; as well as work for which the case for government funding has not yet been established or accepted, or for which government funding is inappropriate. Last, they traditionally involve themselves with one-off purchases or projects (for example, capital grants for buildings, and commissions of enquiry); and shortand medium-term work which is likely to bring a long-term benefit and/or attract long-term funding from elsewhere (Association of Charitable Foundations 1994).
