Philanthropy Advice

Philanthropy UK

Philanthropy UK is the leading resource for free and impartial advice to aspiring philanthropists who want to give effectively. They develop and share current information and best practice on giving; provide accessible links to specialists; and aim to inspire more people to become philanthropic and so enjoy the extraordinary rewards this brings.

Philanthropy UK is a charitable organisation funded by the Cabinet Office and providing a free service.

Institute for Philanthropy

The Institute for Philanthropy is a non-profit making organisation which was established in 2000 to develop a greater understanding of philanthropy and its place in modern society, and ultimately to allow philanthropy to thrive.

The Institute run The Philanthropy Workshop, an £8,000 programme of three international modules that provide opportunities for developing knowledge about strategic philanthropy, leadership development and collaborative problem solving.

New Philanthropy Capital

New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) is a registered charity that provides independent research and tailored advice on the most effective and rewarding ways to support UK charities.

Using this research, NPC advises clients (including individuals, foundations and businesses) on issues such as:

• Where is my support most needed, and what results could it achieve?
• Which organisation could make the best use of my money?
• What is the best way to support these organisations?

NPC charges for its services based on a day rate and does not look to make a profit on the delivery of services to clients. Their day rate covers the costs of delivering a piece of work, and contributes towards ensuring their research can be kept freely available on their website for all who might benefit from it.

The Funding Network

The Funding Network (TFN), founded and organized by a group of donors, has been described as a cross between a “Dragon’s Den for charities” and an auction.  We organize regular day and evening events where a pre-selected group of innovative social change charities come to tell us (in 6 minutes each, plus time for questions) what they would do with £5000, and potential donors listen, question and, if they wish, offer funding there and then to those that attract them.  Our meetings are open to all; we regularly have attendances of over 100 people, and we generally make each project happen. 

As a registered charity itself TFN handles all payments to the projects, collecting gift aid where appropriate, and preserving the donor’s anonymity unless they wish otherwise. Full details are available at www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk  

Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)

CAF is a registered charity that works to raise the profile of giving, lobby for tax breaks and provide an increasingly broad suite of services to charities and their supporters.

CAF provide a personal client manager will talk to you about your giving objectives to help you shape your mission. They then create a tailored giving portfolio for you which, like an investment portfolio, can be regularly reviewed to ensure it's still on track.

The More You Give

Mike Dickson, founder of Whizz-Kids, has published a book called The More You Give, The More You Get to encourage people to experience the "huge and unexpected rewards that happen when giving becomes a way of life."

Prism: Giving More

Prism the Gift Fund is a charity which offers a personal and professional relationship to assist donors in the administration of their giving. The donor still decides when and where to give their money.

Prism administer the giving, advising on tax-efficient methods of charitable giving. Where appropriate Prism reclaim tax from the Inland Revenue, assist with the giving of shares, and advise donors where donations can go, reflecting their own wishes and goals.