Philantropy research centre launched in heart of London

A new £2m research centre begins work this month on answering the big questions on charitable giving and philanthropy. It will address vital questions such as: what impact do economic conditions have on donations to charity? What motivates people, including the super-rich, to give to charity? How can good causes use these donations most effectively?

The ESRC Research Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy, based at Cass Business School, City University, London, will provide crucial evidence which charities can use to develop giving in the UK, and which the Government can also use to ensure their policies are most effective in helping charities give all that they can to society.

The Centre is funded by the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Scottish Government and the Carnegie UK Trust. Together they provide a total of £2.2million over 5 years.

Co-ordinated from the Hub in London, with NCVO, research will be carried out at Strathclyde, Edinburgh, Southampton and Kent Universities.

The Centre is innovative among philanthropy research centres around the world in that it is funded jointly by the Government and the third sector, providing direct links between those providing the research and those who will use it.

Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, said:

“Earlier this year the Public Administration Select Committee drew attention to the need for us to ensure we have a robust evidence base on which we can build policies for the future.

“The Office of the Third Sector’s investment in the Charitable Giving and Philanthropy Research Centre shows our commitment to addressing this issue. I look forward to what promises to be a fascinating, challenging and comprehensive insight into the state of philanthropy, present and future.

“We set up this centre because we recognised the importance of good evidence to steer us in the right direction on charitable giving. Given the current uncertainty among charities over the future of the economy, this research is more important than ever.”

Professor Cathy Pharoah, Co-Director of the Centre at Cass, said:

“Along with co-director Professor Jenny Harrow, I am determined to use our expertise to raise awareness of the importance of giving and philanthropy in society today, and to help build a field of knowledge which will support practitioners, promote philanthropy and attract new researchers.”

Professor Ian Diamond, Chief Executive of the ESRC, said:

“The new research centre highlights the ESRC’s commitment to provide funding for the highest quality academic research into areas that impact on society and policy. This is a substantial investment which will ensure that the research base contributes fully to the economic development and quality of life, for people in the UK and beyond. The Centre will provide research of significant value to charity and philanthropy organisations.”

Find out more: www.cass.city.ac.uk/philanthropy