The Sackler Trust, whose trustees from the Sackler family are involved in lawsuits related to the US opioid crisis, says it will not be providing new donations to UK institutions.
The decision to stop new donations to UK institutions comes as more organisations including the Tate say they will not accept future funding from the Sacklers.
Dame Theresa Sackler said: “The trustees of the Sackler Trust have taken the difficult decision to temporarily pause all new philanthropic giving, while still honouring existing commitments.
“At this moment it is the better course for the trust to halt all new giving until we can be confident that it will not be a distraction for institutions that are applying for grants.”
The decision, according to Sackler’s statement, was due to current press attention.
Fundraising lines are being drawn
The Sackler Trust says on its website that it has committed £60m to research and education charities across the UK since 2010.
Last week, the Tate and the National Portrait Gallery were among beneficiaries that turned down donations from the trust.
The Evening Standard reported that the Prince's Trust, set up by Prince Charles to help young people, has also refused future funding from the Sacklers.
The lawsuits against the Sacklers’ pharmaceutical company are ongoing. The company denies allegations that it pushed doctors to sell its opioids and covered up health warnings.
Photographer and activist Nan Goldin said on Twitter: "The Sackler Trust millions should be used to make restitution for all the lives lost and the communities decimated."
Breaking news! The Sackler Trust UK just announced they are no longer going to give $ to museums,institutions, etc!Before more can refuse. Congrats to the 2 in London. I regret the money they needed but the source is too corrupted@[email protected]
— Nan Goldin (@nangoldin1) March 25, 2019
While Christopher Frayling, former rector of the Royal College of Art, told BBC Radio 4's the Today Programme that the situation will lead to a world “where lines are drawn”, adding that if we become too “squeamish” there will be a lot of damage.
He said: “I think it is one of the iron rules of fundraising that companies with an image problem are the people you go to first of all because they’re the ones who have some ground to make up.”
The Charity Commission has been approached for comment.
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