A case study submitted to the Research Excellence Framework 2014 demonstrating the impact of the University's research.
Research at Kent has provided valuable new data on charitable giving, as well as some revealing insights into how rich donors make their decisions.
Dr Beth Breeze’s research into rich donors in the UK revealed that most charitable-giving decisions are taste-based, rather than needs-based. People tend to support causes that they have a personal interest in, or connection to, rather than backing the most objectively ‘worthy’ causes. Other significant factors include the belief that contributions will make a tangible difference, and confidence in the charity’s competence to fulfil its mission.
Media coverage of philanthropy tends to focus on those seeking to set global agendas by funding international development, global health and environmental issues. However, Dr Breeze also found that many donors are motivated by more traditional factors, such as religious beliefs, social duty and a desire to help in their local area.
The research provided other unique insights into changing forms of charitable giving associated with wealthy donors, and generated new data describing the scale of this phenomenon. It has been influential for policymakers in charities and the UK Government. The data was also used by the ‘Give it back George’ campaign, which persuaded the Government to drop its proposal in the 2012 budget to cap tax relief on charitable donations.
Dr Beth Breeze is Director of the Centre for Philanthropy in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research.
In 2013, the website www.civilsociety.co.uk named Breeze as one of the ‘50 Most Influential’ people in fundraising.
The Research Excellence Framework 2014 showed that Kent ranks 17th in the UK for research intensity, has world-leading research in all subjects and that 97% of our research is deemed to be of international quality.
Contributing to the University’s REF success were the number of our world class publications, the number of research active staff and the demonstrable impact our research has made to the sciences and to economic, social and cultural understanding.