# Bank problems may hit charitable giving

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/01/30/bank-problems-may-hit-charitable-giving/
- Published: 2009-01-30T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The demise of Anglo Irish Bank in Ireland and its take over by the Irish state may
have a direct impact on charitable giving some charities fear.

Anglo Irish was known to be very generous to charity, giving a percentage of its
profits each year. As the Anglo’s profits grew so too did its donations which sometimes
reached €500,000 to individual charities in the social welfare field.

It is unlikely that Anglo will maintain its level of giving. Moreover, as other 
banks continue to need large tax payer support to survive it may have an impact 
on their ability to give to charity at the same level in the years ahead.

## Advertisement

However, the example of Northern Rock may give some cause for optimism. Northern
Rock Foundation, the single biggest charitable group offering grants in the North-
east of England, had initially feared its projects would be ended by the collapse
of the mortgage bank in 2007. But Alastair Balls, the charity’s chairman, was able
to increase his grants budget for 2008 from £7m to £11m, following pledges made 
during the nationalisation process.

Until the end of 2007, Northern Rock set aside 5 per cent of its profits each year
to fund the foundation. The collapse of the bank prompted Mr Balls to cut the [charity’s grants](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/11/15/google-grants-for-charities/)
budget for 2008 to just £7m, but provisions in the legislation paving the way for
the nationalisation of Northern Rock commit it to funding the foundation to the 
tune of at least £15m a year until 2010.

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