The UK has a philanthropy sector worth more than £100 billion, but the lack of targeted policies means that charities and social impact organisations miss out on as much as £5 billion of philanthropic income each year. Targeted policies could also accelerate a further £6.4 billion of investment from the social investment sector, which already contributes £60 billion to the UK economy delivering public services, health provision and community cohesion.
On 2 November 2022 the APPG published its report Unleashing the Potential of Philanthropy and Social Investment to highlight that government must take the lead to unleash more voluntary private funding to support the current cost of living crisis and the recovery from Covid-19 pandemic.
The recommendations to enable, incentivise and support philanthropy and social investment are:
The report highlights that the lack of clear policies and leadership from government mean the UK is failing to grow this vital revenue source that targets the most vulnerable in society and enables communities to thrive. The UK is currently the fourth most generous nation in the world. Those higher up the list, notably the United States, have targeted policies to grow philanthropy and social investment such as “Public-Philanthropic Programmes” that proactively engage private philanthropic capital in both state and federal initiatives.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Philanthropy and Social Investment aims to to further the understanding of the role of philanthropy, giving and social investment in parliament, and to act as a discussion forum for politicians, philanthropists, social investors and experts to develop policy to improve and increase the amount of giving and social investment to good causes in the UK.
Download the full report HERE
