Billions of pounds in philanthropic funding are set to become more accessible to England’s most disadvantaged communities, as the Government publishes a new national roadmap designed to address longstanding inequalities in charitable giving.
The plan, titled Our Place to Give, sets out how philanthropic investment can be better directed beyond London, ensuring funding reaches communities facing the greatest social and economic challenges.
Despite £14 billion being donated to charities across the UK in 2025, the benefits of this generosity have not been shared evenly.
London currently receives:
- More than one third of all funding from the largest philanthropic foundations
- Four times the value of Gift Aid donations compared to the UK average
The Government said this geographic imbalance has left many communities outside the capital struggling to access sustained philanthropic support.
The Our Place to Give roadmap aims to tackle this inequality by connecting philanthropists with local organisations across England, particularly in areas that have historically received lower levels of charitable investment.
By strengthening relationships between donors and places, the Government hopes to ensure funding reaches the people and communities that need it most, while also supporting long‑term social and economic renewal.
The roadmap is supported by £1 million of Government funding, which will be used to:
- Encourage match‑funding opportunities
- Involve philanthropists more closely in funding programmes
- Ensure donor voices are heard during programme design and delivery
The place‑based approach is intended to embed philanthropy within local priorities, driving more sustainable and targeted outcomes.
The initiative comes as up to £7 trillion is expected to be passed down through inheritance by 2050, presenting a major opportunity to unlock new sources of charitable investment.
The Government’s roadmap sets out how these future donations can be channelled more effectively towards communities experiencing disadvantage, creating new pathways for generosity to deliver measurable local impact.
The roadmap outlines a number of practical measures to strengthen England’s philanthropic ecosystem, including:
- £1 million of funding over three years to help organisations share expertise, attract investment and deliver sustainable economic growth
- The appointment of a network of regional philanthropic ambassadors to connect philanthropists, communities and government
- Collaboration between Government and the financial services sector to improve access to high‑quality philanthropic advice
These actions are designed to build trust, strengthen partnerships and unlock further private investment.
Alongside the roadmap, the Government will promote a more open culture of giving, celebrating the positive impact of philanthropy at a local level and encouraging the next generation of philanthropists to invest back into the communities that shaped them.
To support this ambition, a new toolkit for MPs has been launched. The toolkit will help local representatives:
- Champion philanthropy in their constituencies
- Convene local giving opportunities
- Foster environments where generosity can thrive
Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, said:
“Today’s announcement will help philanthropists across the country support local causes they are passionate about.
“By better connecting generous individuals with local organisations at the heart of their communities, we can unlock a new wave of giving that reaches every corner of the country.”
The roadmap builds on the Government’s broader programme of place‑based investment, including the £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme, which empowers local people to direct funding towards priorities that matter most in their communities.
By aligning philanthropic funding with these existing initiatives, the Government aims to ensure private generosity complements and amplifies public investment, delivering lasting change in areas facing the greatest need.
The outcome, ministers say, will be a fairer and more inclusive approach to philanthropy – one that helps communities across England to thrive.
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