This new programme reflects Carnegie UK’s interest in supporting more creative philanthropy within the UK and Ireland and the role of philanthropy in contributing more effectively to social change.
The programme comes at a time when there is increasing government interest in the giving and spending of philanthropic funds, and proposals for a national research centre being led jointly by the Trust, Office of the Third Sector (OTS), Northern Rock Foundation, the Scottish Executive and the ESRC to enhance the R&D capacity of those working in this field. At the same time, grant makers are expressing interest, via the Woburn Place Collaborative (WPC), in greater collaboration for effectiveness.
The programme has three key aims:
- To increase research into effective use of philanthropic funds.
- To increase awareness and engagement of philanthropic foundations in creative social change.
- To enhance the research and development capacity of foundations and other grant makers.
The programme will work to support creation of a national research centre on giving and philanthropy, and will work with WPC to promote knowledge and awareness of methods of achieving systemic, longer-term change. This will be achieved by encouraging practical collaborative initiatives and debate and enhancing professional capacity (trustees and staff) around issues, roles and practices, and by promoting and disseminating intelligence about methods and effectiveness.