Making the Most of Your End-of-Tax-Year Charitable Giving

With the end of the tax year fast approaching (as if you needed reminding), now might be the time you're reviewing your charitable giving strategy. How can you ensure that your donations are both tax-efficient and impactful?

By giving with MK Community Foundation you can build a true partnership—meet your CSR objectives, enhance your PR, and receive valuable feedback on the projects you decide to support.

Steve, can you tell us a bit about your involvement with MK Community Foundation?

“I moved to Milton Keynes in 2006. When I first heard about MK Community Foundation, I knew I wanted to get involved. Soon after, I hosted a dinner to raise awareness for some local high-net-worth individuals, helping them understand The Foundation's impact in the area. And my involvement has only deepened since then.”

How can supporting a community foundation cut down on the due diligence businesses need to do before working with a charity?

“The issue is, I think a lot of organisations don't do very much due diligence before selecting a charity. They tend to pick a 'charity of the year' without assessing its sustainability, how funds are used, or the long-term impact of donations. That's one of the key things about MK Community Foundation—they take away all that work from the individual. They have the expertise to ensure donations reach both large and small charities that genuinely need support in our area.”

What are the benefits of setting up a fund?

“Well, I can speak from personal experience there. I set up a fund with MK Community Foundation to support disadvantaged children and young people in education. At least once a year—and more if I want—I meet with a fund manager and get detailed reports on where my money has gone, what projects it's funded, and the impact it's had. That's what matters to me. I don't want to give money facelessly—I want to know how it's making a difference.

Now is also an excellent time to establish a fund, as matching opportunities are available for those setting up endowments. This means that businesses or individuals could potentially put in say £12,500 and see it grow to £25,000 straight away.”

How can businesses maximise the impact of their end-of-tax-year giving?

“Charitable giving can take a lot of time and effort—research, administration, and tracking where the money goes. It can be a few days of work for someone. MK Community Foundation manages everything, from vetting charities to reporting on impact, allowing businesses to focus on their core work or even volunteering. And the business membership programme offers the chance to work together with the Foundation and give in a structured way that resonates with your business's values.”