Doing the due diligence is key for any advice firm wishing to partner with a charity in order to assess the financial stability of the organisation and the impact it is having, says Catherine Ind.
"It's a very challenging environment for any charity at the minute, it is hard to raise money," the head of the St James's Place Charitable Foundation says.
"If you're looking to pledge some money, you want that charity to still be in existence in two or three months' time or for the duration of the grant period."
Impact too is a key metric as the foundation strives to use its funds to have the biggest impact possible within its four chosen themes.
The SJP Charitable Foundation is one of the biggest corporate giving organisations in the country, raising some £10mn a year for good causes.
It predominantly focuses on disadvantaged young people, hospices and mental health and likes to offer a "holistic package of support", which also includes volunteering and sometimes sharing the apprentice levy to train staff at the charity, helping it to become more resilient and sustainable.
"Where we make the biggest impact is when it's that kind of collective effort in more ways than just [giving] money," says Ind.
To hear more about the charity's work, which fundraising strategies work best with its employees and tips on partnering with charities, click on the link in the image above.
carmen.reichman@ft.com
