Why place matters
Our Place to Give acknowledges that place‑based approaches draw on local knowledge, long‑term relationships and trust. It highlights the role of locally rooted organisations in helping philanthropic capital connect with what communities actually need: ‘According to the sector, a common challenge philanthropists face when giving outside of London is knowing how to use their money most effectively. PBG [place-based giving] initiatives present a helpful solution to this challenge. They provide a way for philanthropists to easily and effectively invest in local priorities.’
Community foundations are highlighted as part of this wider local infrastructure, alongside local government, anchor institutions and other organisations rooted in place.
Philanthropy alongside public funding
The roadmap is clear that philanthropy is complementary to public funding, not a replacement for it. It explicitly recognises the principle of additionality and the independence of philanthropic capital.
This is about building the conditions together in a complimentary way for sustainable local giving. By connecting philanthropy with place, there is a huge potential for Government and philanthropists alike to support longer-term approaches that lead to thriving communities for generations to come.
‘For too long philanthropy and government have been siloed. A partnership model that adequately recognises the potential of philanthropy to drive positive social impact across the breadth of the UK, is essential to address some of our biggest challenges.’
What the plan does
The plan provides a strong national signal that place‑based philanthropy should be nurtured, encouraged and supported over time. It creates a framework for the UK Government to champion this approach by learning, coordinating and working differently.
For communities, this creates space to shape future action in ways that reflect local priorities rather than national templates.
It also sets out a plan to establish a Community of Practice, supported by £1 million of funding over three years, that ‘existing PBG initiatives will be invited to join.’
What this means for communities
The long‑term value of the plan will depend on how its intent is translated into action. The opportunity for communities lies in influencing how this plays out locally and ensuring future action reflects lived experience and local context.
Community foundations will help to build the momentum of ‘Our place to give’, working as local convenors to bring together communities and cross-sector partners around shared priorities.
Further information
Our place to give is available on the UK Government website.
