CFN calls for major systemic reform to bolster community philanthropy

By: 

Cheryl Chapman

Managing Editor, Philanthropy UK

A call for major reforms to the banking, taxation and education systems to release more funds to strengthen communities and promote a culture of giving has been made by the Community Foundation Network (CFN) in a new manifesto aimed at politicians.

Initial responses have been “strong and positive” and “should provoke debate”, says CFN spokesperson Ben Rich.

The manifesto is the result of nine months’ research by a working group of donors, grant-makers and academics led by CFN Chair and community philanthropist Matthew Bowcock, and overseen by Baroness Prashar, CFN’s honorary president.

Launching the manifesto, Bowcock said: “This is the most comprehensive package of measures ever published from the viewpoint of community philanthropists and I strongly urge all the political parties to take a long, hard look at our recommendations ahead of the general election.

“We need to empower local people to fund and deliver change within their own communities.  In these difficult economic times when money is tight, there are far too many obstacles to philanthropists who want to engage with local groups to bring about change.” 

Among the manifesto’s 29 recommendations are calls for:

• The creation of special giving zones with favourable tax treatment for donors, modelled on social exclusion zones, and designed to prioritise investments in services in areas of greatest need.
• Government to use its majority shareholder status in many banks to bring about the creation of bank gifting accounts to simplify giving and ensure tax efficiency.
• The establishment of a system of lifetime legacies, to enable philanthropists to release funds earlier from their estates and enjoy and engage with their giving during their lifetimes.  
• The setting up of a £30m ’Philanthropy Infrastructure Investment Fund’ to provide seed capital to support IT projects to release more giving.  

CFN is now inviting comments on this draft manifesto before it publishes its final proposals in the autumn. The manifesto can be downloaded from the CFN website.

All comments should be sent to Community Foundation Network, Arena House, 66-68 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9HS or email to network@communityfoundations.org.uk, no later than 31 July 2009.