The Giving Department
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Thoughtful, practical support for your giving ambitions

For individuals, families and the advisers who support them.

Sound familiar?

We help individuals and families focus their giving, set up the right structures and find partners they can trust - discreetly, and at a pace that suits you.

  • I want to move from ad hoc donations to something more focused.

    We help you clarify your values, your priorities and the difference you want to make.

    How we help →

  • We are thinking about setting up a family foundation.

    We help you plan and set up the right structure, coordinating the steps with your legal and financial advisers.

    How we help →

  • We want to give well without the paperwork taking over.

    We can take on the administration, from Trustee meetings to grant management and reporting.

    How we help →

  • Our Trustees need help agreeing the way forward.

    We provide neutral, structured facilitation so Trustees can reach clear, shared decisions.

    How we help →

What this looks like in practice

The Jolly Foundation

Setting up a family foundation, without the burden

The challenge
Set up a 'gold standard' family foundation with flexibility and family control, without an administrative burden that would take away the joy of supporting good causes in Bolton and beyond.
What we did
Planned and registered the foundation in 2024, coordinating the legal, accountancy and Charity Commission process and creating its branding and website. We continue to support its governance, grant strategy, due diligence, impact reporting and administration.
The result
A foundation the family controls, with the administration handled for them.
The Giving Department set our foundation up properly from day one and took the administration off our hands, so we can focus on the part we enjoy - supporting good causes in Bolton and beyond.
John Roberts, The Jolly Foundation
Read the Jolly Foundation story →

Helping a foundation's Trustees agree the way forward

A UK foundation working with partners overseas needed its Trustees to agree priorities and timing for a planned wind-down. After one-to-one interviews and a facilitated retreat, the Trustees reconfirmed the mission and agreed clear principles for the next stage.

Client details kept confidential

Read the story →

Discreet, and alongside your advisers

Discreet by default

Much of our work with families is private. We never share details without permission, and many of the people we work with prefer not to be named.

Alongside your advisers

We complement your legal, tax and financial advisers rather than replacing them. Many of our introductions come from private banks, wealth managers and lawyers who want specialist support for their clients' giving.

Advising a client? We are happy to have an initial conversation with you first. Get in touch →

Simple, and at your pace

  1. A conversation

    An informal, confidential first discussion about what you would like to achieve.

  2. A clear proposal

    A focused project or ongoing support, with no obligation.

  3. Practical support

    We get on with it, at a pace that suits you and your family.

Talk through your ambitions

There is no obligation, and everything you share stays confidential.

Start a conversationenquiries@thegivingdepartment.com+44 (0)7967 962132