For those thinking about the legacy they’ll leave behind, charitable giving can be one of the most powerful and personal ways to make a lasting difference. In a recent conversation, HIWCF CEO Jacqui Scott sat down with Rachel Brooks, private wealth partner, and Robert Davies, tax specialist, at UK law firm Foot Anstey, to explore how the Community Foundation model helps donors support local causes in tax-efficient ways – and how working with professional advisers can align philanthropic goals with smart financial planning.
Why giving locally matters
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) is what’s known as a place-based funder – a grant-making charity with deep roots in a defined geography. As Jacqui explains:
“We focus on a very specific geography: Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and of course, the two major cities, Portsmouth and Southampton. We see ourselves as being the guardians of other people’s money, using our local knowledge to make funding go where it’s needed most.”
Unlike national charities, HIWCF specialises in reaching grassroots organisations that are deeply embedded in their communities, many of which are small, volunteer-led and working with less than £50,000 a year in income. These are often the first port of call for individuals facing urgent or complex challenges, such as completing housing forms, caring for a disabled child, or finding a safe, welcoming space in the community.
“These tiny organisations,” Jacqui says, “are often hubs of informal support that span generations.”
HIWCF works to connect generous individuals with these under-the-radar causes, strengthening local communities, one grant at a time.
Building a legacy through endowments
For those looking to give long term, HIWCF offers flexible options for setting up endowment funds. Over the last two decades, the Foundation has grown its endowment thanks to the generosity of individuals, companies and trusts from across the region.
“There’s no upper or lower limit,” Jacqui explains, “We work in an entirely bespoke way with our Fundholders. We encourage smaller endowment donations to be kept open and flexible so they can support community needs “in perpetuity”. Larger donors can choose how hands-on they want to be – some prefer to be involved in reviewing which causes get funded, while others trust us to deliver impact and simply enjoy hearing about the impact their donation has enabled.”
In addition to endowments, HIWCF also manages ‘flow-through’ funds for donors who want to create immediate, targeted change. In these cases, HIWCF offers a cost effective professional grant making service, handling all the queries, due diligence and reporting requirements.
The value of professional support
Philanthropy is most effective when it’s both generous and strategic. Rachel Brooks, private wealth manager, explains: “Philanthropy is about more than generosity — it’s also about being intentional and strategic. Many clients are surprised to learn that giving through their estate can be one of the most tax-efficient ways to support the causes they care about. Leaving 10% of your estate to charity, for example, can reduce the inheritance tax rate on the rest, meaning loved ones may even receive more than they would if slightly smaller donations were made. Working with a trusted charity partner like HIWCF ensures that gifts are not only tax-smart but also make a genuine, lasting impact in local communities.”
Historically a common route for donors has been to set up their own Charitable Trust — but this can come with unexpected responsibilities. Rachel asked Jacqui to outline the differences between running an independent Trust and working through a Community Foundation.
“The big advantage of working with a Community Foundation is that we take over all of the professional worries,” Jacqui says. “Trustee duties, due diligence, investment management, grant compliance, reporting — we handle all of it.”
She added that many individuals who set up private trusts later come to HIWCF for help:
“We’ve inherited very old trusts where the original trustees have passed away or stepped back. Often, we hear the same thing: ‘We didn’t realise how much work it would be.’ There’s a huge amount of back-office administration involved in doing this well — auditing, Charity Commission filings, evaluating impact — and we’re set up to do exactly that.”
Rachel agrees, noting that this approach gives clients peace of mind:
“It takes away that professional weight — and it helps clients focus on what matters most to them: the causes they care about,” she said.
Tax-efficient giving: lifetime and legacy
Foot Anstey tax specialist, Robert Davies, added valuable insight into how charitable giving can be structured in a way that brings both impact and financial efficiency:
“Most people know about Gift Aid, but there are other ways to give — including gifts of land or shares – that can provide significant tax relief. Leaving a gift to charity in your will isn’t just about tax benefits – it’s about legacy and values. With the right advice, you can support causes that matter to you while also ensuring your estate is passed on efficiently. It’s a meaningful way to give back and create positive change beyond your lifetime.”
He also highlighted a powerful legacy-giving tool:
“If someone leaves 10% or more of their estate to charity in their will, the inheritance tax rate on the rest of their estate normally reduces from 40% to 36%. In practice, that means their beneficiaries often receive close to the same amount – while charities benefit hugely.”
Gifts can be made to individual charities, or to organisations like HIWCF that can distribute funds locally, transparently and strategically.
Working with Professional Advisers
HIWCF regularly partners with solicitors, wealth managers and financial planners to help clients shape meaningful charitable legacies. Through this collaboration, professional advisers can offer clients:
– Flexible options for lifetime or legacy giving
– Support in structuring named endowment funds
– Guidance on gifting assets such as land or shares
Confidence through compliance, investment and impact reporting
“Philanthropy is part of the lifeblood of our society,” Jacqui says. “Working through HIWCF means your giving is not only effective and local, but also professionally managed — so your generosity continues to make a difference for generations to come.”
Find out more about Foot Anstey’s services and listen to the latest podcast Ep.1 Signed & Sealed: Philanthropy and giving structures – how to support charitable causes