$1bn raised for global charitable causes

CAF opens New York office

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) American Donor Fund has surpassed $1bn USD in donations towards charitable causes from dual US-UK taxpayers since it was founded in 2000. CAF offers Donor Advised Funds and philanthropy advice to enable people to give more to charities around the world. Grants have recently been made to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Yemen.

Since regulation and tax rules vary around the world, CAF provides expertise to ensure donations safely reach overseas charities, working on causes ranging from education, global health, cultural institutions, environmental and social equality causes.

The CAF American Donor Fund helps expats based in the US and UK, and transatlantic professionals, to realise a greater impact with their giving, by claiming the maximum relief available in both countries. This includes adding 25% to the donation through UK Gift Aid where applicable. Last financial year, the CAF American Donor Fund delivered 1,352 grants worth $96.3m (£73.8m GBP).

From May 2022, CAF is opening an office in New York in order to help even more transatlantic donors to safely and efficiently send funds to charities around the world.

Grants made to charities in the past year include donations to New York University (NYU) to fund scholarships for low-income students, the New York Public Library for educational projects, and The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research for ground-breaking cancer research initiatives headquartered in New York.

Neil Heslop, OBE, Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation said:

“Hitting $1bn in donations is a remarkable milestone for our American Donor Fund which helps more money from dual US and UK donors to safely reach charities around the world. As well as granting to institutions and causes in the UK and US, the Fund supports charities worldwide and humanitarian efforts helping people caught up in conflicts and natural disasters.

“We’re delighted to expand our international offering by opening a New York office to ultimately ensure more dollars and pounds go to worthy causes and encourage global social progress.”

This year, CAF America is celebrating 30 years of enabling cross-border giving by Americans to charitable projects around the world.