Report

Mission give

This report from UK think tank Pro Bono Economics looks at the potential of better philanthropy advice.

Tens of thousands of charities, and an even greater number of community groups and social enterprises, have spent decades dedicated to getting people into good work, providing opportunities to young people, reducing crime, improving health, and saving the environment – the exact priorities Labour have set out.

The new government should therefore be looking at removing the barriers which are preventing charities from making the biggest difference possible to those missions. Constrained charity finances are one of those barriers. In a fiscally restricted environment, the new government will have to think creatively about how it can improve charities’ incomes.

Fortuitously, the wealthiest people in the UK have funds to spare – funds they state they would be willing to put to use making a difference in society. The new government should look to encourage the wealthiest to give away the estimated £2.8 billion extra they may be willing to part with annually for charity.

In doing so, they may free up as much capital as it would take to fund their manifesto commitments to provide a mental health counsellor in every school and a hub for young people in every community ten times over.