IFT Foundation

The IFT began discussing a proposed Foundation during a round of consultations with members in 2007. In 2009, IFT took part in a pilot with the Social Mobility Foundation to find mentors for bright but socially disadvantaged sixth-formers.

The Board now plans formally to launch a charitable and voluntary dimension to the Institute. This is important as we continue the process of establishing IFT as a recognised professional body and it will be particularly relevant as we move nearer to applying for Chartered status.

The intention is to create a charity called 'The Institute for Turnaround Foundation'. IFT's principal asset is a set of verifiable implementation skills that have the power to transform structures, attitudes and behaviour - and so improve results and outcome. We intend to leverage these qualities for the benefit of individuals and organisatons who would not ordinarily have access to the opportunity.

We envisage that the Foundation will support:

• Under-performing schools
• Social enterprises with the potential to be useful and viable
• The Third Sector.

The Foundation's work will complement rather than conflict with the charitable and voluntary work undertaken individually by IFT members.

• The Government has recently established a £16 million fund to help charities which face financial difficulties. We have had talks with the Cabinet Office to see how IFT members can assist some of the many charities that are currently in difficulty.
• An IFT team successfully completed the London to Brighton Bike Ride on 20 June 2010. This bike ride is by far the largest charity bike ride in the UK. We raised over £30,000 and were the largest team from a medium-sized organisation. The ride covered 54 miles. a. According to the BHF ‘leaderboard’, IFT member Nicholas Ward was the year’s largest individual fundraiser in the Bike Ride.

Your participation will help to make a real success of the further steps in IFT’s charitable and voluntary activities.