Working towards a National Strategy for Philanthropy and Charitable Giving
Since 2023, a number of organisations from across the philanthropy and charity sectors have met to discuss policy proposals that could provide a framework for a renewed culture of philanthropy and charitable giving in the UK.
The proposals cover six areas:
- Understanding and engaging with philanthropy
- Enabling an effective philanthropy sector
- Making use of local connection
- Supporting more giving by individuals
- Supporting more giving by companies and in workplaces
- Promoting and celebrating philanthropy
These proposals are maintained by CAF, Beacon and NPC working in collaboration. Collectively, they offer the basis for a national strategy for philanthropy and charitable giving. They reflect a commitment from the philanthropy sector to work alongside Government to maximise philanthropy and its impact.
These proposals are not static. Organisations from the philanthropy and charity sectors continue to meet regularly to make them as practical and actionable as possible.
You can find the latest version below.
Why do we need a National Strategy for Philanthropy and Charitable Giving?
Like all other significant financial decisions, the decision to make philanthropic gifts requires encouragement, planning and support.
The decision to become a philanthropic funder begins with an awareness of the importance of philanthropy to charities and wider civil society. Individuals need to be able to consider their options by finding out information about causes and charities that are seeking support, locally, nationally or internationally. And, there needs to be mechanisms in place to facilitate giving, not just as a single transaction but through connections, relationships and structures that support a lifetime of philanthropy.
In commercial and retail settings, these stages of awareness, consideration, execution and long-term engagement are well-established steps in a customer journey. Every step requires the right level of information, support and guidance.
Charity fundraisers also use them to take people on a donor journey with their individual charities.
Yet, when it comes to philanthropic journeys, the infrastructure isn’t strong enough to support every donor, every step of the way.
- How aware are we, as a society, of the importance of philanthropy to civil society?
- How easy is it to find specific charities and to consider the impact of their work?
- Are the mechanisms that support giving to charities as frictionless as possible?
- Can we provide the right conditions to enable a lifetime of giving?
The philanthropy sector, and many charities, can help with these questions, but if we want to grow giving, then we need to invest in the infrastructure that supports it – at scale, everywhere.
This ambition will require a joined-up, collective effort and, on a national scale, needs to be led by Government, because only Government can set the tone on the role philanthropy plays in our society.
Working together on a national strategy, the philanthropy and charity sectors are developing actionable proposals on the investment and innovation that could create a truly enabling environment for philanthropy and charitable giving. It is an invitation from our sector to work in partnership with Government to grow giving in support of our communities and wider civil society.
If you wish to provide input for the national strategy for philanthropy and charitable giving, please contact us at info@thinkNPC.org.