New Grant-Makers 2020
Who are the new philanthropists to emerge in 2020? What were the new grant-making charitable trusts and foundations established in 2020? Over 1,700 charities were established during the pandemic with the primary purpose of serving as a grant-making institution according to our UK Grant Makers 2020 study. The conclusions of this research provide an important indication of philanthropic intention during last year’s Covid pandemic.
Key findings
1,731 foundations and trusts were established last year with the primary purpose of serving as a grant-making institution according to the UK Grant Makers 2020 study published by the Cape Partnership and UniversityPhilanthropy.com
Using Charity Commission data, the study looked at grant-giving foundations and trusts established over the past 20 years.
45 percent of all grant making charitable trusts – 27,863 in total - were established in the past 20 years reflecting the boom in philanthropic giving.
2020 saw the highest number of grant-making charities established in since 2012.
From 2008-12 saw a boom in the establishment of grant-making trusts, coinciding with the last economic crisis. 13 percent of all grant-giving trusts and foundations in England & Wales were established between 2008-12.
17 percent of all grant-making charitable institutions expending over £1m in the last financial year were established between 2008-12. This suggests that during or in the wake of economic downturns, some of the most generous grant-makers emerge.
If 2008-12 provides us insight into future giving trends, the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 may be the catalyst for a golden era in British philanthropy.
The majority of foundations and trusts established in 2020 have defined UK causes as the primary beneficiaries of their grant-making, however, 655 foundations and trusts (38 percent) stated their funding is geared towards international causes. This is in contrast to 32 percent for the 20 year average and in contrast to 21 percent of all 61,844 grant-giving foundations registered with the Charity Commission, suggesting there has been an increased internationalization in the UK’s philanthropic sector in recent years.
Education is widely viewed as the main beneficiary of philanthropy. 53 percent of grant making foundations established between 2001-2020 are geared to supporting educational causes.
The results echo Harvard University’s Global Philanthropy Report published in 2018 which notes that the philanthropic sector is relatively young and growing rapidly. Harvard concluded that nearly nearly three-quarters of the world’s philanthropic foundations were established in the past 25 years.
Andrew Wigley talks about New Grant-Makers 2020
Courtesy of Etienne Godiard