Natural Philanthropists: Findings of the Family Business Philanthropy and Social Responsibility Inquiry (2009)

Despite the extensive literature on family foundations and corporate philanthropy, little is known about the philanthropy of family businesses, which straddles these categories. There is some anecdotal evidence, and some well known philanthropic names amongst family businesses, but there has been an absence of robust information on the distinctive nature and impact of this type of philanthropy in the UK. This report, based on focus groups and expert interviews with family business owners, provides new data and analysis on the scale, scope and impact of family business philanthropy and social responsibility; it provides examples of good practices that demonstrate benefits to both the community and the companies, and it makes recommendations, aimed at government, charities and family businesses themselves, to create a more enabling environment to encourage other family business owners to start or scale up their philanthropic and socially responsible activities.