Where can I find advice on cross-border giving?
With international philanthropy growing rapidly in both Europe and the US, along with other forms of cross-border co-operation, advisors will wish to be confident about ensuring that their clients’ international philanthropy is conducted in an accountable, transparent, responsible and tax-effective manner.
We set out here some expert organisations and other resources.
Please also see issues to consider when setting up a charitable trust.
Learn more about cross-border giving from the resources below:
Case study: setting up a charity in Asia
JP Morgan Private Bank is advising an international family who want to establish an educational institution on the Asian sub-continent.
Organisations
- The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) has over 14,000 members worldwide focusing on the responsible stewardship of assets today and across the generations. It supports its members’ philanthropic endeavours through newsletters, conferences and other learning opportunities.
- The European Association for Philanthropy & Giving (EAPG) runs regular roundtables and workshops in London and other European cities. EAPG is a membership network which seeks to ensure the best possible practice in planned giving and cross-border philanthropy. It offers a programme of roundtables, workshops, seminars and publications covering the major tax, legal, organisational, and philanthropic aspects of relevance to planned giving, both domestic and cross-border.
- The Charities Aid Foundation offers the CAF American Donor Fund for individuals who pay tax in both the UK and the US. US tax rules can invalidate UK tax breaks on charitable giving, and this special account allows donors to make the most of tax reliefs from both countries.
Online resources
- Giving in Europe: Website covering 24 European countries that provides donors, intermediaries and beneficiaries with information about the conditions, possibilities, best solutions and procedures for making a cross-border philanthropic gift, while taking into account civil, tax and philanthropic considerations.
- Europe">Transnational Giving Europe (TGE): Online partnership of leading European foundations and associations that facilitates tax-efficient cross-border giving within the UK and 12 other European countries. TGN enables corporations and individuals resident in one of the participating countries to fund non-profit organisations in other member countries while benefiting directly from tax advantages in their country of residence. The UK partner is the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).
Other guidance
Principles of Accountability for International Philanthropy: A joint initiative by the European Foundation Centre (EFC) and the US Council on Foundations (CoF) to provide a framework to assist more foundations and others engaged in international philanthropy to be more thoughtful and effective funders and partners. Philanthropy">Download the Principles (PDF) here.
