The Giving Department
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Strategic support for organisations and foundations

For companies, corporate foundations and purpose-led institutions.

Timely, strategic and flexible support from The Giving Department has been invaluable as we continue to develop the structure and global approach for The Aberdeen Charitable Trust.
Kirsty BrownlieHead of Social Impact Strategy, Aberdeen Charitable Trust

Sound familiar?

We help companies, corporate foundations and purpose-led institutions design, review and deliver giving that makes an impact on the ground and at board level.

  • We want to set up a corporate foundation and do it properly.

    We help plan, set up and review corporate foundations.

    How we help →

  • We have merged and changed, and our giving approach needs a refresh.

    We review and refresh giving strategies so they fit the organisation you are now.

    How we help →

  • We have ambitious giving goals but no dedicated team.

    We can work as your giving team, supporting every part of your programme.

    How we help →

  • We want to give in new countries, but don't know who to trust there.

    We research the local landscape, then find and assess strong partners for you.

    How we help →

  • We want our people's skills to make a real difference.

    We design engagement that matches your people's skills to charities' real needs.

    How we help →

  • We need an independent view before a major funding decision.

    We provide proportionate, independent assessment before major decisions.

    How we help →

Support that fits where you are

Whether you are starting out, changing direction or need extra expert capacity, we can help with:

  1. Clarify purpose and priorities

    Agree the focus and the outcomes you want your giving to achieve.

  2. Develop a giving or foundation strategy

    A strategy the board can stand behind, and the right structure to deliver it, including setting up a foundation.

  3. Design and operationalise grantmaking

    Grant programmes that are fair, proportionate and run well.

  4. Independent assessment and due diligence

    Find and assess the right partners, wherever you need them.

  5. Community, charity partner and employee engagement

    Programmes that bring your people and partners together.

  6. Ongoing and flexible support

    An expert giving team, without permanent headcount.

Explore all our services →

What this looks like in practice

ICG

Building a programme with impact, without a dedicated in-house team

The challenge
Build a global programme of charitable activity, without any dedicated giving staff within the firm.
What we did
Worked with senior leadership on a clear strategy, then built the partner pipeline, ran proportionate due diligence and a fair application process, and led annual impact reporting.
The impact
A social mobility programme that exceeded its initial expectations.
1,762
young people supported in 2025
16,000+
young people supported since launch
Read the ICG story →
See all our work →

Why organisations work with us

Both sides of the table

Experience across corporate, foundation and charity roles.

Proportionate

Process and due diligence scaled to the size of the decision.

Embedded when needed

We can work as your giving team, not just advise it.

Long-term relationships

Many clients have worked with us for over a decade.

Not a conventional company or foundation? We also support professional institutes, membership bodies and other purpose-led organisations with their charitable activity.

Discuss your organisation's priorities

A first conversation is informal and confidential. Tell us what you are working on and we will tell you honestly how we can help.

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