Giving Compass' Take:

• A recent event hosted by Charities Aid Foundation garnered expert insight on the role of place-based giving and the growth of local philanthropy in the UK. 

• What spurs local philanthropy? Are there opportunities for you to contribute to your community? 

• Read more lessons from place-based philanthropy. 

CAF recently hosted an event on “The role of place based giving in rebuilding communities post Covid-19”, which saw a fascinating discussion among a panel of speakers who brought a wide range of perspectives and insight, including the current Minister for Civil Society, Baroness Barran MBE.

The event marked the publication of a series of reports detailing the findings from the Growing Place-Based Giving Fund; which CAF delivered on behalf of the  Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). These were a main report, as well as two short reports aimed at those who are interested in setting up a place-based giving scheme in their area, and at funders who want to support these schemes).

CAF has been exploring the potential of “civic philanthropy” for a number of years. Our starting point for this interest is a recognition that many towns, cities and regions around the UK have suffered a long-term post-war decline as traditional industry and manufacturing have disappeared; and that as a result many are seeking to reinvent and recalibrate their economic and social identities for the future.

We are keen to keep exploring, therefore, what role place-based giving and philanthropy can play in the re-imagination of places for the 21st Century, and this event provided some great insights and food for thought.

Civil Society Minister Baroness Barran MBE highlighted that one of the main drivers for giving is a personal link to a cause and a sense of connection, which can come through place. Covid-19 in particular has made people more connected to the areas they live in. The government is therefore keen to understand both what can be done to build on the apparent upsurge in social action at a local level that we have seen throughout the pandemic and also how this can contribute to their ambitions for “levelling up”.

Read the full article about insights on local philanthropy by Daniel Ferrell-Schweppenstedde at Charities Aid Foundation.