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Philanthropy

Philanthropy helps fund new British Museum wing, but UK wealthy still neglect the arts

March 6, 2014

A new wing at the British Museum, opening today, has been made possible by one of the largest private philanthropic donations to the arts in the UK in recent decades, but the country still lags behind the US when it comes to charitable donations to arts and heritage.

The Sainsbury family, of the eponymous supermarket empire, donated £25 million (€30.5 million) to the World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre at the London institution, which will open with an exhibition of Viking artifacts.

Big spenders: the rise of the spend-out foundation

February 13, 2014

A self-titled foundation established to leave a legacy in the world used to be the prerogative of the very wealthy, but increasingly philanthropists are abandoning their vanities in favour of high-impact spend-out models for their trusts. CampdenFB reports

The study of philanthropy is an imprecise science and there is no formula that can predict why a wealthy individual would decide to give and to which causes, much less why they would decide it’s time to stop.

US pips Europe and Asia as leader in philanthropy

February 11, 2014

Despite fewer tax incentives and more social services, European and Asian high net worth individuals are almost on par with their US counterparts when it comes to philanthropy, according to new research.

The second annual BNP Paribas Individual Philanthropy Index, released today, ranked the US first across all four categories assessed, which included: their current and projected level of giving as a percentage of total wealth; promotion of philanthropic activities; and innovation.

Campden celebrates the Middle East’s top philanthropists and foundations for 2013

December 11, 2013

A family business leader committed to improving transparency, accountability and corporate governance in the Arab world has been named philanthropist of the year at the second annual Campden Wealth Middle East Philanthropy Awards, in association with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB).

CampdenFB received more than double the number of nominations for this year’s awards than in 2012, coming from more than half a dozen countries across the Middle East.

Higher education favoured cause of HNW philanthropists

November 12, 2013

Universities receive the lion's share of one-off donations above $1 million (€744,000), according to a recently published study of donor trends in six regions around the world.

The Million Dollar Donors Report 2013, published by UK-based private bank Coutts, found that of the 2 billion known donations over $1 million in the six areas surveyed, 37% were made to higher education institutions.

The study tracked more than $19 billion-worth of donations from 1,249 donors from across the USA, UK, Russia, China, Hong Kong and the GCC.

Philanthropic next-gens the next big thing in Australia

October 31, 2013

The head of a new philanthropic division at Australian multi family office EWM Group says next-gen donors are one of the most interesting developments in the sector.

The new division at the Queensland-based firm will be headed by Genevieve Fraser, who has a history of giving through her own family’s foundation.

Her main objective will be to provide philanthropic services that allow all generations of the family to be involved in charitable giving.

A whole new ball game

October 9, 2013

A top athlete’s name, money and drive can be an incredible boost for a charity, but does a career at the pinnacle of sport prepare you for life as a philanthropist? CampdenFB reports

After the final slog towards the Arc de Triomphe on the last leg of the 2005 Tour de France, world famous cyclist Lance Armstrong took to the podium to take the yellow jersey for a record-breaking seventh time.

Over the course of his career “le Boss” had become a household name – his tale made all the more powerful because it was a near miracle that he had ever raced at all. At the age of 25, Armstrong had been diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer, and even after hasty surgery doctors had only given him a 40% chance of survival. But survive he did.

Middle East Philanthropy Awards return

September 27, 2013

Campden Wealth and the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank will host the Middle East Philanthropy Awards 2013 this December, following last year’s inaugural event.

The awards, to be overseen by an expert panel of judges, will recognise individuals and foundations that have made outstanding philanthropic contributions in the Middle East and the Arab region of North Africa.

Big social investment fund targets family offices

August 1, 2013

UK publisher and social enterprise group Big Issue will seek family office investors to help it reach its £250 million (€287 million) target for an ambitious new social investment fund, which could potentially dominate the UK sector.

Announced this week, the new Big Issue Invest Fund Management division will launch a series of funds designed to offer financial returns for investors, and social returns for the enterprises and organisations it invests in.

Capitalism with a conscience

July 15, 2013

A new generation of philanthropists is making the world a better place, and making money too. But think carefully before you embark on a social enterprise.

At a time when the world is still feeling the effects of the worst financial crisis since the 1930s and banker bashing is a global pastime, communities and policymakers are seeking ways to carve out a better future.