REPORT: The UK as a Centre of Excellence for International Philanthropy

News ▸ Can the UK become a global centre of excellence for international philanthropy and social investment?

Cath Dovey

Cath is a co-founder of the Beacon Collaborative and is the lead coordinator for a number of the activities. Formerly a co-founder of Scorpio Partnership, the global wealth management strategy and research firm, she led the firm’s high-net-worth and strategy research capabilities for two decades. In the field of philanthropy, Cath headed Scorpio Partnership’s global research work with major donors, family givers and family foundations. Cath chairs Rosa, the UK fund for women and girls, and is a trustee of Philanthropy Impact.

Can the UK become a global centre of excellence for international philanthropy and social investment?

The report shows that the UK is strong at international philanthropy and social investment, and examines how it can become even stronger.

The future of international philanthropy and social investment is blended, impact-oriented, collaborative and global. Sophisticated global philanthropists and social investors will seek out jurisdictions that can support their global giving with unambiguous policies, targeted and clear regulation, world-class infrastructure and an innovative environment.

By welcoming responsible global citizens who are seeking positive social impact, the UK can enhance its position as a world-leading centre for progressive global finance and wealth management and send a powerful signal to the world about the UK’s commitment to responsible global leadership in a post-Brexit and post-Covid world.

This report examines what the UK must do to achieve these goals and become the world’s first global centre of excellence for philanthropy and social investment.

DOWNLOAD: The full report

DOWNLOAD: The executive summary

DOWNLOAD: The press release

We also spoke to international philanthropists and those within the sector about their thoughts. They discuss the subject in these videos.

Beacon Impact Forum: Growing giving is a shared responsibility between government, the private sector, the philanthropy sector and charities

This year’s Forum was an inspiring day that saw a rich exchange of ideas, dynamic discussions, valuable networking and potential future collaborations from experienced leaders from across the impact community.

17 April 2024 Cath Dovey

Enriched philanthropists-only group is moving to a new home with I.G. Advisors

Enriched, our private, invite-only group for philanthropists, is moving to a new home with I.G. Advisors – an award-winning team of philanthropy and impact experts with decades of experience supporting the philanthropy, business and nonprofit sectors to create social and environmental change.

20 March 2024 Beacon Collaborative

Philanthropy grows again in 2023 — second consecutive year

For a second consecutive year, giving among the UK’s wealthy population continued to grow. Looking at the annual trends from our quarterly research, we saw positive results in the median and average (mean) levels of giving, showing that high net worth giving increased significantly last year and has been on an upward trajectory since 2020.

10 January 2024 Cath Dovey

Scoping the high net worth philanthropy market

To address data gaps in high net worth giving, this study trialled a new model based on survey data in which donors were selected by their wealth level. Results suggest that total giving by the HNW and UNHW population in the UK could be worth around £7.76bn and possibly much more.

18 October 2023

Summer lull in giving, but underlying trends remain strong

The median level of giving among the whole population of millionaires reverted to £500 from significantly higher figures in March and June.However, those with wealth >£5 million gave at levels above the long-term median trend.

3 October 2023

Bridging diversity in British giving: Engaging donors from diverse giving communities

We commissioned this qualitative research project to help improve understanding of how diverse groups experience philanthropy, their relationship to the wider charity sector and how they channel their support to their communities.

25 September 2023