WHY DO PEOPLE GIVE?

What makes people give, how do they do it, and what are the tools available to policymakers and others to drive more and better giving?

In order to boost civil society by building stronger cultures of giving around the world, we need to understand how giving works.

Here we explore what makes giving tick by looking at the available evidence. This includes data about global trends in giving, insight from practice and findings from academic study.

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  • SE Assist Fund
    29 July 2021 

    Levelling Up - CAF's View

    CAF explores how the Government's "Levelling Up" agenda will affect Civil Society and outlines the CAF position on the topic. 
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    29 July 2021 

    Charities and volunteers aid the way to Olympic glory

    As we cheer on the Tokyo 2020 athletes , it is worth remembering that often charities and volunteers have helped our sporting heroes on their journey to Olympic gold.

  • Olympia 2_275
    22 July 2021 

    Gold-standard philanthropy

    Olympic athletes will become famous for their performance. But many of them are also noticeable for their charitable activities beyond their sport.

  • Tainted donations
    19 July 2021 

    Why modern grant-making comes with core funding

    The new publication ‘Modern Grantmaking – A Guide for Funders Who Believe Better is Possible’ reminds us that unrestricted funding should be an essential element of every funder's toolbox. This was also a crucial lesson funders learned during the pandemic. But will they stick to it? 
  • Daniel
    30 July 2019 

    The Royal split

    In early June 2019 it was announced by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess  of Sussex that the latter will leave the Royal Foundation to focus on their own charitable activity. What can we learn from the foundation split?

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    11 October 2017 

    World Giving Index shows Africa is the exception in a less generous world

    Although globally there has been a decrease in generosity since our last report, Africa has bucked this trend as the only continent to see an increase in giving.  
  • An image of a hea tmap that shows Myanmar as the most giving country
    25 October 2016 

    2016 World Giving Index shows Myanmar is most generous nation

    CAF’s World Giving Index is a leading annual study on global generosity. Here we explore the findings of the 2016 edition.

DISCOVER HOW GIVING WORKS

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Place-based giving

We believe the time is now to look again at philanthropy, not only as a route to financial investment, but also as a way of reconnecting people with places and spaces.

Visit our place-based giving hub
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Bringing diverse communities together; podcast

We talk to Jim MInton of Toynbee Hall, based in London's East End, about the the role of local civil society organisations.

Listen to the podcast

CAF at Tech:UK Blockchain for Good Event May 2018

Rhodri Davies talks about the speed of technological change and how tech will benefit, and challenge, charity.

HOW GIVING WORKS DOCUMENTS

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Donation States: An international comparison of the tax treatment of donations

This report compares the tax treatment of charitable donations in 26 countries around the world. It identifies examples of best practice as well to see how governments can best use tax policy to encourage giving.
This report compares the tax treatment of...
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Gross Domestic Philanthropy: An international analysis of GDP, tax and giving

This report looks at available data for 24 countries to examine some of the factors affecting the link between GDP and charitable giving. It finds that the assumption that a smaller state and lower tax means more giving may not be well-founded.
This report looks at available data for 24...
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Why the UK should not aspire to a “US-style” culture of charitable giving

The 'Give Me a Break' report calls for a better understanding of what we can learn from America, so that we can incorporate it into a uniquely British culture of philanthropy.
The 'Give Me a Break' report calls for a...

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW GIVING WORKS

Riding the Tiger of Technological Change

Technology is opening up new opportunities to empower marginalized and disenfranchised communities around the world.

Read Rhodri's blog ► 

Giving in a World Without Work?

Rhodri Davies, Policy Manager, explores automation, Universal Basic Income and the future of philanthropy,

Read Rhodri's blog ► 

Public Good by Private Means

Rhodri Davies' book tells the story of philanthropy through the ages, and examines the relationship between philanthropists, the state and society.

Read “Public Good by Private Means” ►