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While some people believe that giving is a very private activity, others would like to share the pleasure of giving and also take part in a group where issues relating to wealth and charity can be discussed freely.
In some areas of giving, such as the arts, there are far more opportunities to meet fellow donors than in others, such as social welfare or overseas development. Giving through a community foundation may offer opportunities for co-operation and shared learning. You can find out about the community foundation in your area from Community Foundation Network.
A number of associations have developed so their members can give together. Some of them are private, but others have open meetings and encourage new members.
One example is The Funding Network. TFN brings people together to:
- act as a 'marketplace', to which individuals can bring projects that work towards building a world that is fairer and healthier and where resources are not wasted;
- provide a mutually respectful setting where those who might like to join with others in funding projects are able to meet and hear those doing the work; and
- promote an example of giving to help social change. Givers can share their wealth in creative and useful ways, and the process of giving can benefit the donor as well as the receiver.
Members are invited to attend regular funding days. They receive written information on organisations before the funding day so that they have a chance to learn something about the organisations and issues before considering their possible donations. The Funding Network manages individual donations towards projects, claiming back tax through Gift Aid where appropriate on behalf of members, and monitoring grants made to projects. It hopes that this structure will have advantages for both the funders and the receivers: the funders are able to hear about a range of interesting initiatives and to bring projects they are personally enthusiastic about, but which might need more help than they could provide themselves, while the charities have to make only one presentation to reach a large number of potential givers.
There is another organisation called Trusts in Partnership which is developing the concept of a 'giving club' (also known as a 'micro trust'). Each micro trust operates under the larger umbrella of the partnership, which provides charitable status and one set of annual accounts. Tax reclaims, administration, research, coaching and so on are also done by the partnership. The focus of the giving of each micro trust is set by the donors.
There are already a number of funded and partly funded micro trusts, and new donors are being attracted to the scheme, mostly by personal contact and private invitation.
You can e-mail them at londonpartnership@hotmail.com.
© Copyright 2007 Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF)
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided in A Guide to Giving is current at the time of publication (October 2005), but the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) cannot guarantee its accuracy. Furthermore, there may have been subsequent changes to legislation, policy and/or to tax bands and rates. If you are considering any investment you should seek appropriate professional advice. This guide is not intended to replace professional advice on particular investments or the manner in which tax relief is applied under any scheme, and you should not rely on it for such purposes. You are responsible for your own tax and financial affairs and so should seek independent advice. ACF can not accept responsibility for the investment choices you make.
Views expressed in A Guide to Giving are not necessarily those of Philanthropy UK or the Association of Charitable Foundations.
Coutts & Co is not responsible for the content of A Guide to Giving, and the content does not constitute any advice whatsoever from Coutts & Co. The case studies and profiles within the Guide are not necessarily clients of Coutts & Co. Coutts & Co shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever arising from your reliance on any information produced in the Guide.
