We have worked with a variety of individuals, businesses, trusts, foundations and government clients over the past few years, and are also forging partnerships with trusted advisors – for example, wealth managers and private client lawyers – helping them to explore the role of philanthropy in their relationship with clients.
Below are the stories of just a few of the donors and advisors we have worked with (some of whom wish to remain anonymous) to help them give more effectively.
The business of giving
NPC met Execution, a stockbroking firm, when it was planning a trading day for charity. Execution Charitable Trust wanted its giving to make an impact and reflect the company's mission and culture. We persuaded them that the best way to achieve this was by supporting local charities across the UK, rather than one national charity, as they had originally planned. We found them a number of charities to fund, from places as far apart as Glasgow and Exeter, and carried out the due diligence on each charity.
Five years on NPC is helping the trust to review its giving. With NPC's support, Execution has become more confident and has increased the length and flexibility of its grants. Its focus on smaller charities has meant that it has been able to make a real difference. One charity says: 'We simply wouldn't be around without Execution's funding.'
'NPC helped us streamline our grant-making process. They helped us maximise the impact of our giving.'
James Blackburn, Head of Execution Charitable Trust
It's a family affair
A wealthy individual wanted to involve his teenage daughters in his philanthropy. But he lacked the time to look for charities himself and to assess which were the most effective. He was also unsure of how to include his children in choosing a charity.
To overcome this, NPC sent the family a selection of charity recommendations, all working in their chosen area, which happened to be young people. The client found these short two-page recommendations useful in helping him talk to his children about the charities. To get the younger members of the family engaged, we arranged a visit to two of the charities so they could learn first hand how their donation would help. The visits also showed the children what to look for in a charity.
A foundation for good
The foundation of a large company wanted to support charities working in the area of health. It knew its support would be most effective if it targeted a small number of issues, but was not sure how to choose them. NPC first identified gaps in health provision by looking at how well various needs are met by other funders and government. We then helped the foundation understand how to use its unique capabilities, such as its reputation, contacts and technology expertise.
After deciding on a focus area, NPC then helped plan how the programme should run. Since the programme would work well as a collaboration, we introduced the foundation to potential partner organisations. We also highlighted ways for it to make the most of its resources, for example, by involving staff and using its networks.
Making giving easy and rewarding for individuals
A busy city executive and his wife were looking to support a small education charity, but they didn't know where to begin or how to choose between the many different charities working in this field.
Using NPC's extensive research, our advisors suggested three education charities that NPC had analysed and recommended. Together, the couple looked through NPC's two-page charity recommendations, and chose one charity that really excited them: the Place2Be, which helps troubled children to avoid truancy and exclusion from school.
The couple wrote a cheque to NPC. We handled Gift Aid and channelled the funds to the charity. In reporting back, NPC was able to tell the family how their donation had changed the lives of around 350 children struggling at school, as well as supporting the teachers who were working with these children.
Click here to read about the Place2Be.
Supporting an advisor
Coutts & Co has identified that philanthropy in the UK is on the increase. Many people want to get involved personally with charitable giving rather than leaving a sum of money in their will. And with so many options of how to give and so many worthy charities deserving support, where do you start? Coutts has used NPC’s charitable experience since 2005 to help private clients create their own personal giving strategies, by aiming to understand their motivations and objectives.
Coutts provides guidance on the services that are available for givers, and, through their affiliation with NPC and other charitable organisations, gives clients the opportunity to hear new ideas and approaches from leading philanthropists. Whilst Coutts' role has been to provide general advice, their special arrangement with NPC can help clients with particular projects.
NPC has spoken at and participated in a number of Coutts Forums for Philanthropy - one-day events that give donors and charities the opportunity to network and seek advice on a whole range of philanthropic issues. More recently NPC has supported Coutts with their ‘next generation’ programme, encouraging younger people from high net worth families to think more responsibly about money management.
For the second year running Coutts has been voted Best for Philanthropy Services in the UK Euromoney Private Banking Survey 2006/7. Working with NPC has enabled Coutts to provide donors with published research, tailored advice and expert briefings on specific causes. Coutts has been able to differentiate itself from its competitors, acquire new clients and add value to its existing client relationships through its philanthropy services. Coutts has also been able to increase assets under management through the provision of charitable trusts, banking and investment management services.
'The passion and expertise that the NPC team brings to the table helps donors to meet their goals.'
Mark Evans, Head of Family Business and Philanthropy, Coutts