# CSJ calls for dormant funds to be unlocked to spur matched giving by philanthropists - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2025/03/05/csj-calls-for-dormant-funds-to-be-unlocked-to-spur-matched-giving-by-philanthropists/ - Published: 2025-03-05T08:54:59+00:00 - Author: Howard Lake **A new matched fund using £3.2 billion of dormant assets could release an additional £8.22 billion in philanthropic support, according to research by the Centre for Social Justice.** The CSJ “has uncovered” almost £4 billion in dormant funds, assets and unclaimed Gift Aid that could be used to support small charities and grassroots voluntary groups. The sum could be match funded by “willing and generous philanthropists”, many of whom have put their names as supporters to the research. The report, ‘**Supercharging Philanthropy**‘, calls on the government to “articulate an exciting vision of what can be achieved, be clear it will be used to good effect, and create the conditions to find it”. ## Advertisement It highlights the funding challenges that the voluntary sector is experiencing, citing **four areas**. First, it states “last year, non-government grants to charities fell by almost two-thirds, from nearly 100,000 in 2023 to barely more than 31,000”. Secondly it adds that “corporate giving from companies in the FTSE100 has dropped leaving an estimated £164 million in lost charitable contributions”. Thirdly it warns that “many foundations and grant givers have paused giving or are spending down their endowments”. Fourthly it points to OBR analysis that suggests “between 12 and 25 per cent of non-UK domiciled individuals (non-doms) may leave the country”. The CSJ points to analysis that warns that these individuals each give an average of £5.8 million to good causes. ## ‘Think philanthropy approach’ In this context the report calls on ministers “to adopt a “think philanthropy approach” that requires all funding submissions to the Treasury to “show evidence of seeking philanthropic partners for suitable projects”.” The report states: “The Government should start with a National Strategy but not one that just stays with theory and principles, but an ambitious direction that sets numerical targets for giving and galvanises philanthropists to back projects that support the five national missions.” It cites research that shows that matched donations are “on average, two and a half times higher than unmatched donations”, suggesting that this way of using the funds could boost the charitable sector far more than simply the original sum, large as it is. It also recognises that prospective wealthy donors are more likely to contribute when they see the Government playing its part. As evidence of this the report has attracted the support of over 20 of the UK’s most prominent philanthropists, including Jonathan Ruffer DL, Lady Edwina Grosvenor, Andrew Law, Dr Nik Kotecha OBE and Steve Rigby. In the joint foreword to the report they state: > “We stand ready to respond to the direction set by Government to unleash a new > wave of philanthropic giving across the UK… > “If the Government provides clear vision, leadership and certainty, we will respond > with generosity, creativity and innovation…If Government build the solid banks > of the river, we will work together to make the water flow.” ![The foreword to the CSJ report on unlocking giving, headlined "We stand ready to respond". It features a list of over 20 UK philanthropists that support the report's recommendations. The list of philanthropists backing Supporting Philanthropy includes: Mark Adlestone OBE Rahul Moodgal Keith and Tania Black Leo Noé Tony Bury Paul Donovan Sir David Harrison KGCN, DUniv, MBA Duncan Grant Grant Gordon OBE Lady Edwina Grosvenor Matt Hyde, CEO, Lloyds Bank Foundation Dr Nik Kotecha OBE Christopher Nieper OBE Chris and Jane Oglesby James Reed CBE, Chairman of Big Give Trust Steve Rigby John Roberts Stuart Roden Jonathan DL and Jane Ruffer Sir Brian Souter John Spiers Andrew Law Sir Peter Vardy DL Brian Linden Andy Wates Sir Harvey McGrath Dr Iain MacRitchie Steve Morgan CBE](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2025/03/we-stand-ready-philanthropists. jpg) 20 UK philanthropists that support the report’s recommendations are listed in its foreword. Baroness Nicky Morgan, former Secretary of State at the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said: “The philanthropists I meet are ready to give, and small charities across the UK are raring to put their money to good use. I hope the Government reads this report and articulates a clear vision to inspire more giving.” ## The CSJ’s report recommends: * Commit £3.27 billion of match funding into a National Mission Innovation Fund launching the National Philanthropy Strategy * Create an independent National Philanthropy Champion and 12 Regional Philanthropy Champions tasked with meeting financial targets of philanthropic giving across each region of the UK and ensuring small and medium sized charities get their fair share. * Improve uptake of payroll and legacy giving and simplify and automate gift aid. **Neil Heslop OBE**, Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: “The CSJ joins with CAF and others in the sector to call for a government-led national strategy for philanthropy and charitable giving. Taking steps to unlock funds, harness place-based networks and revitalise our culture of giving will contribute to building a more connected, more generous and more resilient society.” **Nathan Gamester**, Managing Director of the Centre for Social Justice Foundation, highlighted the potential of the “untapped jackpot for charities”. He said: “At the CSJF we have helped to direct over £14 million to frontline charities in our first three years, through advising private donors and administering trusts and foundations. We know the generosity is out there if the Government will only set clear direction and ambition. These charities are already suffering worst from an overall reduction in charitable donations. Government must do its utmost to help those on the frontlines of the fight against poverty.” You can [download a copy (in PDF) of the report Supercharging Philanthropy](https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/library/superchargingphilanthropy) from CSJ. --- The list of philanthropists backing Supporting Philanthropy includes: Mark Adlestone OBE Rahul MoodgalKeith and Tania BlackLeo NoéTony BuryPaul DonovanSir David Harrison KGCN, DUniv, MBADuncan GrantGrant Gordon OBELady Edwina GrosvenorMatt Hyde, CEO, Lloyds Bank FoundationDr Nik Kotecha OBEChristopher Nieper OBEChris and Jane OglesbyJames Reed CBE, Chairman of Big Give TrustSteve RigbyJohn RobertsStuart RodenJonathan DL and Jane RufferSir Brian SouterJohn SpiersAndrew LawSir Peter Vardy DLBrian LindenAndy WatesSir Harvey McGrathDr Iain MacRitchieSteve Morgan CBE