Tag Archives: philanthropy

Was Prince Andrew any good as a charity patron? We’re finding out

Do UK royal patrons help charities? Giving Evidence looked at this question in 2019/2020 and could find no evidence that they do – at least, not that they help to raise revenue. In other words, charities may be wasting their … Continue reading

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Shifting the power in philanthropy: Types of initiative

Power in philanthropy has traditionally been held – almost exclusively – by those with the money. There are calls to change that, and mercifully many initiatives and examples of it happening. Giving Evidence’s Director Caroline Fiennes was asked to speak … Continue reading

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Philanthropy in transition

Caroline Fiennes was one of 11 leaders interviewed by The Guardian for the Philanthropy in Transition series.  A new generation of donors wants impact and engagement Out of the dot.com boom came a new breed of donors for whom good … Continue reading

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Are we relying on unreliable research?

“Ask an important question and answer it reliably” is a fundamental tenet of clinical research. And you’d hope so: you’d hope that medics don’t waste time on questions that don’t matter or which have been answered already, and you’d hope … Continue reading

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Why ‘What’s Our Impact?’ is the Wrong Question

This article was first published by the Skoll World Forum and the Society of Impact Assessment Analysts Since there are so many ways that charities and funders can use their finite resources, they must make choices: choices between competing goals (reduce … Continue reading

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Development Controversies Are A Sign of Sophistication

This article, written with Professor Dean Karlan of Yale University, appeared in Stanford Social Innovation Review. Public debate about two prominent poverty-alleviation programs shows that over the past 15 years international development has become much more scientific. The international development … Continue reading

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Faster, higher, stronger: Olympic lessons for philanthropy

This article first appeared in Alliance Magazine. Coming from ancient Greece, even the word ‘philanthropy’ hints at similarities with the Olympic Games. And there is much which philanthropists, donors, charities and those of us who support and guide them can … Continue reading

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How foundations discourage charity mergers

This article first appeared in Third Sector magazine. Esmee Fairbairn Foundation (a large UK grant-making foundation) has launched a fund to encourage mergers. It’s ironic, because Esmee’s own rules penalise them Fairness, presumably, is behind the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation’s rule that it … Continue reading

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MoneyBox Live: good questions to ask

I’m on BBC Radio 4’s MoneyBox Live today, answering questions from the public about charitable giving. Do call! (Here’s how.) I’ve suggested some questions you might like to ask – about which charities to back and how – and some … Continue reading

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The giving tax: what do we actually know?

In the current row about charities and tax, it’s worth being clear about what is known and what isn’t. Here’s the relevant evidence we’ve encountered. Income Total income of UK charities £37bn Source:NCVO Almanac Income of UK charities from individuals … Continue reading

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