CAF Campaigns

Groundwork for Growing Giving

Harnessing the power of philanthropy to develop a thriving civil society, across the globe.

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ABOUT GROUNDWORK FOR GROWING GIVING

With as many as 2.4 billion people set to join the world’s middle classes by 2030, it is crucial that we ensure that the groundwork is put in place to support and encourage a mass engagement in giving. We estimate that if the world’s middle classes were to give over just 0.5% of their spending – less than the average UK household and about the same as people in the Republic of Korea – that could amount to $319 billion in resources for civil society organisations annually by 2030.

Potential for sustainable, domestic development

The Groundwork for Growing Giving campaign highlights the potential for fast growing emerging economies to drive a golden age of generosity and deliver a sustainable development which works for all. The campaign seeks to create an inclusive culture of generosity and envisions a world where everyone gives.

Read our campaign paper 'Laying the Groundwork' online

AIMS OF THE CAMPAIGN

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Governments to:

make sure that civil society organisations are regulated in a fair, consistent and open way
make it easy for people to give and offer incentives for giving where possible
promote civil society as an independent voice in public life and respect the right of not-for-profit organisations to speak out on important issues

International funders to:

provide funding for organisations which provide support to donors and civil society organisations to build infrastructure that can continue to generate funds for civil society even after aid ends
fund local organisations directly to improve the accountability and efficiency of aid
recognise the importance of helping grantees to build sustainable domestic support and fund accordingly

Civil society organisations to:

ensure good governance and be honest about impact to build public trust in civil society organisations
meaningfully engage local communities in decision making so civil society becomes locally owned
recognise and build on traditional forms of giving to create organisations and a culture of giving works to the strengths of the local context

In the news

Philanthropy and individual giving during the pandemic
2 June 2020 - Charities Aid Foundation consolidated the outputs of a discussion on European governments’ policy responses supporting civil society and facilitating philanthropy in the context of pandemic. Read Euclid Network's review of the findings.
European policy responses for philanthropy and civil society
28 May 2020 - What can we learn from actions taken by countries to respond to the crisis? What must be different next time around? Read Michael Mapstone's article in WINGS global network news Philanthropy In Focus.
Voluntary National Review progress towards Sustainable Development Goals
4 July 2019 - CAF urges government to invest more into local infrastructure for civil society.

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Giving civil society the right response
We examined national policy responses to supporting philanthropic giving and civil society in the context of the pandemic and discovered government responses varied widely and some used the pandemic to silence critics.
Covid-19 the effect on global civil society
Since May 2020 this year, CAF has been surveying charities across Australia, Brazil, India and South Africa to understand how they have been responding to and coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Groundwork for Growing Giving political briefing
The potential for growing giving amongst the emerging middle classes.

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Building a strong infrastructure for philanthropy, in Africa

Read how partnering with CAF led a major bank on the African continent to take a positive leadership role in social change.

Read about Ecobank in Africa

Enabling social good with legal representation

Legalwise

CAF Southern Africa and LegalWise have come together to help empower people in need.

Discover the CAF Southern Africa and LegalWise partnership

child-speaks-project-in-san-paulo case study

The impact of CAF partner IDIS, on civil society in Brazil's growing economy

IDIS has promoted giving for nearly 20 years in Brazil by supporting philanthropists and foundations to be more strategic, give to sustainable development causes and by engaging in discourse with government.

Read how IDIS is growing giving in Brazil