Sunday Times Giving List sees donations up 8%
Howard Lake | 29 April 2009 | News
The UK’s top 100 philanthropists gave £216m more in 2008 between them than they did the previous year despite the economic downturn, according to the Sunday Times Giving List.
Editor of the Sunday Times Rich List Alastair McCall said yesterday that there had been £155bn lost in one year by 1000 people on the Rich List, which showed that the richest were giving more away from less.
He said that the developing world – Africa in particular – and education would be “relatively immune” from the recession.
The ‘new philanthropists’, such as Harry Potter creator JK Rowling, would continue to be engaged with their chosen cause and McCall said that these people were more likely to continue to give through a recession.
Philip Beresford, who compiles the ST Rich List, said that over the last 15 years, 202 of the top 1000 had sold their principle business. However, only six or so have sold in the last year, creating “very little virgin wealth to go after”. “You will be competing in a crowded market for new donors,” he said.
“You need to work at your intelligence network so you can get to know who’s selling,” he told attendees at a meeting held by CAF. “Look for someone who has no-one to leave the business to or offspring who don’t want to take over. Look around for people with liquidity.”
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.