Sheila McKechnie Foundation

Who we are

Helping campaigners to thrive

Campaigning is vital to a healthy society. We help campaigners to thrive.

In a free and hopeful society, people need to know they have the power to make a difference: that they are able to envisage change and can push for that change to happen.

For nearly two decades, we have helped all sorts of individuals, causes and charities to find their power as changemakers – as campaigners.

We support, connect and champion these campaigners, equipping them to go after the social change they seek.

And we see the difference it makes. The people we’re lucky enough to come into contact with – through our training, our awards, our research and our networks – do extraordinary things. They dream of a different world, and then they bring it about.

They inspire us, and others, to hold on to the hope that comes from knowing that change is possible.

Our culture and values

We help you make the change you want to see happen.

That means we’re free to work with campaigners on all sorts of issues – from saving libraries to protecting the planet. If you’ve got a change you care enough to campaign for, we can work with you to make it happen (as long as your wished-for change won’t threaten others’ rights, freedoms or dignity, of course).

In recent years, most of the people who have wanted our help have been involved in some aspect of social and climate justice. But we go wherever people are energised to campaign for change.

And we also campaign ourselves – in support of the things we stand for. We are passionate about:

• The importance of social purpose campaigning (as opposed to party political or commercial campaigning)
• Solidarity and the need for those with shared goals to work together
• The right to campaign in an open and healthy civic or ‘democratic’ space

We are also deeply committed ourselves to working in deeper solidarity.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

SMK is here for people trying to make lasting social change.  

We work with and celebrate change-makers from across civil society, from those campaigning from their front rooms to those in the offices of global organisations.

We connect the campaign community to grow solidarity, share ideas, and find common cause. 

About our Solidarity and EDI Strategy

Achieving our commitments to Solidarity and EDI are urgent and central to SMK’s vision and mission.

Systems of power and inequity are complex – structural, cultural, personal and intersectional – so our strategy is wide-ranging.

It includes a commitment to growing our own awareness and skills, and shaping our organisation’s culture, practice and governance. And it encompasses the work we do to support those who are working to change these systems in society. It includes our approach to developing partnerships, reaching communities, and our own campaigning and advocacy.

Find out more here: https://smk.org.uk/about-us/our-commitment-to-solidarity-equality-diversity-and-inclusion/

Review the Solidarity and EDI Strategy here: https://smk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/SMK-Solidarity-and-EDI-Strategy_Nov23_Final.pdf