Philanthropy Advisory Services

Philanthropy means giving money, assets, encouragement and expertise to positively impact society and the environment. It differs from charity, though both are important.

While charity refers to purely altruistic and compassionate acts, such as providing disaster relief or emergency aid, philanthropy evokes acts that are strategic and considered. It typically involves an individual giving to an organisation that is trying to address the root causes of a problem. When deciding what to do, it can be helpful to ask yourself:

• what is my experience of giving?
• how will I decide what to give to?
• do I understand the root causes behind the areas I'm supporting?
• do I know what impact my giving is having?

With so many options and worthy charities deserving of support, knowing where to start can be difficult. Our Philanthropy team can help you follow some key principles:

• Understand the causes you want to support.
• Set your objectives.
• Set up a giving vehicle, such as a charity account or private charitable trust.
• Establish criteria for selecting the charities you want to fund.
• Monitor and learn from the experience of giving.

To help you create a giving strategy, we often go through four stages:

• Individual conversations: discussing and understanding your motivations and objectives for giving.
• Strategy workshop: facilitating a discussion to identify your key priorities.
• Strategic plan: helping write your vision and guiding principles.
• Implementation: helping review grant applications, conduct site visits and donate.

The Coutts Charitable Giving Account was launched in order to make it easier for clients to keep track of their donations to good causes.

Designed for payments made to charitable causes only, it will run alongside a regular Coutts bank account. In addition to receiving a Coutts Charitable Giving Account cheque book and cash card, clients will be able to make their charitable donations by telephone through Coutts’ 24 and online. There are also no administration fees associated with the account.

For more information about opening a Coutts Charitable Giving Account please contact your private banker or ring Sarah Moriarty on +44 (0)20 7649 4054