We help donors to give more impactfully and charities to build their resilience so they can do more of their life-changing work.
From one-off donations to long-term giving, or designing your personal philanthropic strategy, we work together to help you realise your giving ambitions.
DISCOVER OUR PERSONAL GIVING SOLUTIONS
You have the vision for making a difference. So do we. We help you plan how to give based on your goals.
DISCOVER OUR CORPORATE GIVING SOLUTIONS
Helping your charity or social enterprise become more resilient.
DISCOVER HOW WE SUPPORT CHARITIES
Discover the latest insights for donors and charitable organisations to help create a greater impact
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We are a leading charity, working at the centre of the giving world. We help donors to give more impactfully and charities to build their resilience so they can do more of their life-changing work.
Find out more about CAF
For commentary on philanthropy, corporate giving and issues facing the charity sector, please get in touch.
CAF is a group of charitable organisations in the UK and North America operating globally – the Charities Aid Foundation in the UK, Charities Aid Foundation America, Charities Aid Foundation Canada,
and our American Donor Fund. These organisations work with corporate and individual donors to ensure their
giving is impactful and provide strategic support to help charities.
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In the UK, CAF also owns CAF Bank Limited and CAF Financial Solutions Limited (CFSL).
They help charities to manage their finances and funds so they can continue to support causes and communities that matter to them.
If you are a business, or individual looking to increase your impact, we’re here to help you realise your giving ambitions. Whether it’s a one-off donation or longer-term commitment.
With access to our global network of charities, tax-efficient giving solutions and strategic expertise, you can achieve measurable, positive change for the global causes you care about most.
We are also a pioneer in the UK social investment sector, and use our insights working with charities to be a centre of excellence for grantmaking.
Helping charities and social enterprises thrive is at the heart of everything we do. We understand the challenges you face, and the opportunities that come from being a non-profit – because we’re a charity too.
So, our impact advisory services, social investment and grant funding, and finance solutions are designed to help strengthen your charity’s long-term resilience and enable you to do more of your life-changing work . While our research and policy work empowers us to speak up for our sector with governments, policymakers and regulators.
Our teams in the UK, US and Canada help hundreds of millions of pounds and dollars move safely across borders every year, supporting thousands of charities.
We engage with an international network of like-minded organisations, enhancing our global impact by sharing regional expertise and ideas. Together, we’re working to foster collaboration and thought-leadership, improve cross-border giving, and make sure that aid can get to where it’s needed most.
This partnership inspires innovation, allows us to share best practice and ensures we hold ourselves and others to the highest standards of regulatory compliance.
CAF Bank exists to support charities and social enterprises through day-to-day banking, lending and other sustainable financial services.
As part of the CAF group, our services help you support the people who need you. We’re here to keep your money safe and assist you in finding affordable solutions to enable you to achieve your goals.
Our commitment to sustainability means charitable clients can access a range of ESG-focused investment funds. For us, it’s a vital step towards creating a fairer, more sustainable future for all.
It started with a £1,000 legacy.
At the Battle of the Somme in 1916, Captain Edward Vivian Dearman Birchall, a passionate philanthropist – wounded, yet still leading his men – wrote this note to a friend:
“If I am scuppered, I’m leaving you £1,000 to do some of the things we talked about.”
Three years later, his legacy was used to set up the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), which is known today as NCVO. In
1924, the NCSS set up a Charities Department to make giving easier – a department that would later become Charities Aid Foundation.
View our 100-year timeline
Legal & General’s (L&G) approach to charitable giving has changed during the last few years. The increased spend in this year’s report in part reflects that change in approach, which sees L&G focusing greater resources on fewer strategic initiatives.
Since 2019, Barratt has donated over £3.1m to OB, through Barratt Developments plc and the Barratt Foundation.
For the Skipton Group, their giving programme is a way to live their values and do tangible good in areas that are important to them.
One CAF client, a family foundation, was drawn to MSI Reproductive Choice’s work, and the impact its programmes are having on the lives of the world’s poorest and most marginalised women and girls.
Supporting Landsec step by step on its corporate giving journey: creating opportunities, building for the future.
Using their Charitable Trust, Mark and Julie Mills ensure a precious habitat is protected from development, allowing the vulnerable and endangered species to thrive.
Providing green loan finance to enhance the environment, provide organic food, employment and volunteering opportunities.
How we helped build 12 new homes, providing an affordable place to live for local people.
Building resilience for a charity supporting youth employability in BAME communities.
It is proven that staying active, taking up new skills, and feeling connected to your community, are key for wellbeing.
Building resilience for a charity supporting communities in Northern Ireland
Helping Spirax-Sarco Engineering achieve and measure the impact of their newly established Education Fund.
How we helped Porchlight expand its property portfolio to support people experiencing homelessness.
How we supported BNP Paribas UK to collaborate on sustainability education in disadvantaged communities.
How we helped convene a collaborative approach to tackling the effects of the pandemic.
How Technology Services Group is tackling the digital divide in the UK with guidance from CAF.
How a CAF Legacy pledger followed in his ancestor’s footsteps to fund the build of a RNLI lifeboat
One CAF client is funding the vital work of local wildlife charities working to restore nature and protect wildlife.
How the renovation of poor-quality tenements will provide residents with secure, affordable homes.
How we helped fund new homes, bungalows and offices for a housing trust.
How a local YMCA has provided 26 affordable homes for young people, with loan finance from CAF Bank.
Creating organisational resiliency and independence for catchment partnerships through our advisory services.
Developing planning, fundraising and governance for small charities supported by Lloyds Bank Foundation for England & Wales
How finance from CAF Bank helped provide affordable homes for people in acute housing need.
How CAF Bank finance helped develop a state-of-the-art building, offering a safe place and support for young people.
How we created and delivered a global community impact programme with Johnson Matthey.
Creating and delivering a corporate engagement strategy to diversify income and build resilience
How a CAF Bank loan helped a housing association make social rent homes affordable for people in need.
How a housing association is redeveloping derelict sites to build sought after homes at affordable rent.
AstraZeneca’s Young Health Programme is just one way in which we help them work towards achieving UN SDG 3.4.
How we helped an almshouse charity build three new housing schemes for social rent.
How we helped secure a new home for Snowdrop Project to continue its vital work.
How CAF Bank’s services have helped Impact Funding Partners support over 700 organisations since 2014.
A former care home has been redeveloped into a 14 bedroom house to accommodate homeless people.
Helping Scottish, Christian charity offer an outreach service for disadvantaged people in the community.
With the help of a loan from CAF Bank, Waypoint Church creates a new space to connect with more people.
With a loan from CAF Bank, St Vincents and St Georges purchases significant buildings that have fallen into disrepair.
How a legacy gift is supporting cutting-edge studies into macular disease, the biggest cause of sight loss.
How a legacy gift is funding a local sewing group in Wales, to share skills and combat loneliness.
Fifty women in Burkina Faso are paving the way for future generations of female beekeepers in their community.
How a legacy gift is helping to transform the lives of young entrepreneurial minds at UEA.
How ‘Consumer-champion’ Martin Lewis uses his Charitable Trust to give with purpose.
How one of the largest legacy distributions that we’ve managed, has helped support small local organisations.
How a legacy gift is helping to finance plans to restore 200 year-old Hough Mill to its former glory.
How a legacy gift is helping Wigmore Hall attract a younger audience to live music events.