Philanthropy is one of the most meaningful societal contributions any of us can make in our lifetime. Whether through financial gifts, time, expertise or social capital, each of us has the opportunity to help causes build a better world.
And the good news is that giving by the UK’s high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) is rising – in both number and the value of average annual donations.
Philanthropy is rooted in a desire to make a difference. However, many donors lack the depth of philanthropic knowledge and expertise needed to make their gifts as impactful as they could be.
They may also have a limited understanding of causes, charities and how this sector operates, as well as the specialist giving vehicles, tax implications and know-how to integrate giving into their wider financial planning.
To help bridge this gap, we commissioned new research1 into the motivations, barriers and giving behaviours of the UK’s wealthiest donors. The result is The Modern Philanthropist – a report offering pragmatic insights on how donors, charities and advisers can deepen relationships, unlock impact and support more purposeful giving.
Donor behaviours have moved on since our 2019 Barriers to Giving report. Today’s philanthropists are increasingly strategic – not only in the impact and clarity they seek from charities, but also in how they integrate an increasingly values-led approach into their wider financial planning.
Written in collaboration with some of the UK’s leading voices in philanthropy, the report provides practical support for donors of all wealth levels, as well as for charities and advisers.
1The Modern Philanthropist report, Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management, October 2025
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