Donations to charitable organisations from the UK’s wealthiest individuals reached an estimated £12.4 billion in 2025, marking a significant increase from £11.3 billion recorded in 2024, according to a comprehensive report published by Barclays Private Bank and Wealth Management in collaboration with New Philanthropy Capital. This surge in philanthropic activity underscores a deepening commitment to social causes among high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals across the nation.
The findings, detailed in "The Modern Philanthropist" report, reveal a compelling trend: an expanding proportion of the affluent are actively contributing to the betterment of society. In 2025, an impressive 94% of individuals possessing upwards of £1 million in investible assets reported making contributions to good causes. This figure represents a notable rise from 88% observed in 2021, indicating a sustained and accelerating engagement with philanthropy.
The Evolving Landscape of High-Net-Worth Philanthropy
The report paints a picture of a philanthropic sector that is not only growing in volume but also becoming more inclusive across different wealth brackets. The increase in the percentage of individuals donating, particularly among those with substantial assets, suggests a broader societal awareness and a greater willingness among the wealthy to translate their financial success into tangible social impact. This upward trajectory is anticipated to continue, with over half of wealthy benefactors expressing their intent to expand their philanthropic allocations in the coming 12 months. This forward-looking sentiment is particularly strong among those with more than £10 million in investible assets, where a substantial 72% project an increase in their contributions.
This projected growth signals a robust future for charitable organisations, many of which rely heavily on the generosity of major donors to fund their vital work. The commitment from this demographic could translate into crucial resources for addressing a wide array of social, environmental, and humanitarian challenges.
Disparities in Giving: Wealth vs. Actual Contribution
Despite the aggregate gains and the increasing participation rate, the report also highlights significant variations in the actual disbursement amounts among individuals with similar financial profiles. This disparity underscores the complex motivations and individual approaches to philanthropy that exist even within affluent circles.
Between 2020 and 2025, a detailed analysis of annual donations revealed a wide spectrum of giving. For individuals holding between £1 million and £5 million in wealth, average annual donations ranged dramatically. The bottom 20% of donors in this bracket contributed an average of just £400, while the top 10% were significantly more generous, with an average of £53,100. This substantial difference suggests that while wealth is a common denominator, the propensity and scale of giving can be highly individualised.
A similar pattern emerged within the higher wealth tier of £5 million to £30 million. Here, the lowest quintile of donors averaged annual contributions of £1,400, a stark contrast to the highest decile, which averaged an impressive £119,300. These figures illustrate that even among the wealthiest segments of society, a significant difference exists between those who are highly engaged philanthropists and those whose contributions, while present, are more modest in scale.
Future Intentions: A Mix of Expansion and Stability
Looking ahead, the report offers insights into the immediate future of charitable giving among the UK’s affluent. While the trend is generally positive, the pace of expansion varies. A significant portion of donors, 37%, intend to increase their donations by a modest margin. Concurrently, a substantial 39% aim to keep their contributions at their current levels, indicating a period of stability for many established philanthropic relationships. However, the 72% of those with over £10 million planning to increase their giving signals a concentrated surge of generosity from the very top tier.
These intentions suggest a nuanced approach to philanthropy, where some donors are actively seeking to amplify their impact, while others are maintaining their commitments, ensuring ongoing support for their chosen causes. This mix of expansion and stability is crucial for charities, providing both the potential for increased funding and the assurance of continued support from their existing donor base.
The Influence of Professional Guidance on Philanthropic Decisions
A particularly striking finding from "The Modern Philanthropist" report is the strong correlation between engaging with professional financial advisers and the intention to increase charitable giving. The data indicates that affluent donors who review their charitable allocations with a financial adviser are significantly more likely to boost their contributions. Specifically, 60% of these individuals plan to raise their donations over the next year, a figure that stands in sharp contrast to the 29% of those who do not obtain such advisory support.
This observation points to the pivotal role that financial professionals can play in shaping philanthropic strategies. Advisers, equipped with knowledge of tax implications, impact investing, and strategic giving, can guide their clients towards more effective and impactful charitable engagement. They can help donors identify causes that align with their values, explore different giving mechanisms, and ensure their contributions are maximized for social good.
Furthermore, the report provides concrete data on how different guidance channels influence average contribution sizes. Donors who primarily receive guidance from professional advisers reported the highest average annual gifts, standing at £36,000. In contrast, donors whose principal guidance came from charities themselves and their peers averaged annual gifts of £26,000. Those guided mainly by relatives and friends, while still contributing, averaged the lowest annual gifts at £18,000.
This divergence in average contribution sizes suggests that professional advisers may be instrumental in helping donors understand the potential for greater financial impact through their giving, perhaps by exploring larger legacy gifts, endowments, or more complex philanthropic structures. It also indicates that while personal connections and direct engagement with charities are valuable, structured financial advice can lead to a more significant financial commitment.
A Call to Action for Charitable Organisations
The findings present a clear opportunity for charities to deepen their engagement with affluent donors. The report suggests that wealthy benefactors are receptive to forging closer ties with the organisations they support. This receptiveness indicates a desire for greater transparency, communication, and potentially, a more collaborative approach to philanthropy.
Charities that can effectively demonstrate their impact, communicate their needs clearly, and offer meaningful engagement opportunities are likely to be well-positioned to convert existing donor goodwill into elevated funding levels. This might involve offering bespoke donor experiences, providing detailed impact reports, or involving donors in the strategic direction of projects. Building these stronger relationships could not only lead to increased donations but also foster a more loyal and committed base of supporters.
The implication is that a proactive, relationship-focused approach by charities, potentially leveraging insights from financial professionals, could unlock substantial new resources. This could involve developing more sophisticated donor stewardship programs and actively seeking to understand and meet the evolving expectations of affluent givers.
Research Methodology and Data Sources
The robust data underpinning "The Modern Philanthropist" report originates from comprehensive market research conducted by Savanta. The research specifically targeted individuals holding £1 million or more in investible assets within the UK.
Barclays engaged Savanta to administer a 15-minute online questionnaire to a sample of 500 UK high-net-worth individuals. This fieldwork was conducted between March 6 and April 9, 2025, ensuring the data reflects the philanthropic landscape of that year.
In addition to this primary research, New Philanthropy Capital integrated specific questions concerning donor satisfaction and supported causes into Savanta’s quarterly "MillionaireVue" omnibus study. This broader study, conducted across 2024, 2025, and 2026, provides a longitudinal perspective and allows for the tracking of trends in donor sentiment and philanthropic focus over an extended period. This dual approach – specific research for the report and ongoing tracking through an omnibus study – lends significant weight and credibility to the report’s conclusions.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The trends highlighted in "The Modern Philanthropist" report have significant implications for the UK’s charitable sector and its role in addressing societal challenges. The consistent rise in participation and the projected increase in giving suggest a growing recognition among the wealthy of their capacity and responsibility to contribute to the public good.
The increasing influence of financial advisers in philanthropic decisions also points to a professionalisation of giving, where strategic planning and impact measurement are becoming more prominent. This could lead to more effective allocation of charitable funds and a greater focus on measurable outcomes.
As the UK navigates evolving economic conditions and persistent social needs, the continued and growing generosity of its wealthiest citizens will be a critical factor in supporting vital public services and driving positive change. The report serves as a valuable resource for both donors and charities, offering insights into the current state of philanthropy and providing a roadmap for future engagement and impact. The Barclays and New Philanthropy Capital collaboration offers a clear signal that the sector is adapting and innovating to meet the challenges and opportunities of modern philanthropy. The increasing participation rate, coupled with the projected growth in giving, suggests a robust and dynamic philanthropic ecosystem that is poised to make an even greater contribution in the years to come.
