Coutts launches environment pilot for Philanthropists

Advisory Services and 'Donor Advised Fund'

Coutts & Co is today launching a pilot for philanthropists interested in the environment. For the first time, Coutts clients will have access to specific knowledge and insight into organisations within the environmental sector to help them decide how to maximise the impact of their giving. Philanthropists will also be given access to the Coutts Environment Donor Advised Fund, which gives clients the opportunity to pool funds in order to increase the impact of their donations.

The announcement follows the recent launch of the Coutts Microfinance Advisory Service and Coutts Microfinance Donor Advised Fund, which look specifically at philanthropy within the Microfinance sector.

The Environment

Growing concern for the state of the environment is at odds with the apparent lack of funding for charities working in this field. Less than 2% of UK charitable grants and less than 5% of private donations are allocated to environment charities, although compared with human welfare issues, many aspects of the environmental challenge are very new*. Broad consensus on climate changes only dates back to 2001, when the Third Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was issued.

Coutts Environment Advisory Service

In addition to receiving assistance from Coutts Philanthropy specialists on creating a giving strategy, clients can draw on the expertise of an independent Environment Advisory Panel. Clients will also have access to written reports on the environment and environment charities that the Panel has helped prepare.

Coutts Environment Donor Advised Fund

The Donor Advised Fund is not an investment scheme. It is a collection of irrevocable donations administered by the Charities Aid Foundation and intended for distribution, in entirety and at the direction of the Donors, to organisations with charitable purposes. Donors to the Fund will contribute a minimum donation of £10,000 and will benefit from collaborating with other philanthropists in pooling funds and directing donations to make an even bigger impact.

Mark Evans, Head of Philanthropy at Coutts & Co commented: "We've seen increased interest in the environment from our clients. They want to know everything about it from climate change and energy, to pollution and waste, to biodiversity and sustainable development."

Maya Prabhu, Coutts Senior Philanthropy Adviser. "It's just as important when making a social investment as making a financial investment to have access to research and advice. To kick off this pilot, we are hosting a launch dinner on the subject of the environment on 2nd October. Private clients interested in attending can contact Sarah Moriarty on 020 7649 4054."Through its philanthropy specialists, Coutts offers specific knowledge and insights to help guide clients in creating an effective giving strategy, conducting market research, getting professional advice, evaluating projects and creating a portfolio of charitable interests. Coutts is also committed to providing donors/philanthropists with networking and educational opportunities through the Coutts Forums for Philanthropy.

For further information about Coutts please contact:
Jo Thorne, PR Manager, Coutts & Co. Tel: 020 7957 2650, mob: 07855 411 626 or email: joanna.thorne@coutts.com
*Source: New Philanthropy Capital, 2007.

Notes to Editors

• Coutts & Co is the UK private banking arm of the Royal Bank of Scotland. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is one of the world's largest banking groups.
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