By Anna Terry, CEO, Jersey Community Foundation
According to the latest figures from Jersey Finance, the total net asset value of alternative investment funds under administration in Jersey stands at £452 billion. With a GDP per head of population in 2023 of £63,500 (Gov.je), Jersey Finance describes the Island as “at the forefront of banking, corporate services, funds, investment management and private wealth.”
Jersey actively attracts global wealth in the form of High Value Residents, who join a number of wealthy locals who benefit from our low-tax, offshore status. For those relocating and living here, Jersey offers more than financial advantage. With its rich history, coastal setting, safe and welcoming community, excellent schools and entertainment facilities, the Island offers more than just a favourable business environment. It also attracts and retains wealthy residents and corporations seeking a good quality of life.
But the cost of living (estimated to be 10% higher than UK) and high housing prices (estimated to be 50% higher than SE of England) are pushing our communities out as they grow more squeezed and disconnected (The Policy Centre). If Jersey becomes a place where only the very wealthy can live, where young people leave and don’t return (the so-called ‘bean drain’), and where vulnerable individuals fall through the cracks, we risk becoming a jurisdiction of wealth without wellbeing. They say that the greatness of a nation can be measured by how it treats its weakest members, and we know the poorest and most vulnerable in Jersey are struggling.
Quality of life in Jersey depends not just on the economic performance of our Finance Centre, but on connection, creativity, and community pride. People won’t stay in—or move to—a place that feels hollow. And currently, much of the fabric that holds our community together is maintained by the Third Sector.
At Jersey Community Foundation (JCF), we are working to build a stronger culture of philanthropy in Jersey that builds a bridge between our profitable IFC, our wealthy community and our vital third sector.
Valuable and Vulnerable – Our Third Sector
Jersey’s charitable and not-for-profit organisations deliver essential services in arts and heritage, health and social care, education, housing and wellbeing. According to our Local Needs Assessment (2022) of the 450 local registered charities in 2022, over 370 focus directly on these themes. Their impact is vast: one-third of all care providers registered with the Jersey Care Commission are charities, and among the 1,300 not-for-profits registered with the Jersey Financial Services Commission 450 also hold charitable status. Housing associations now supply 14% of the Island’s housing stock, and organisations like the Channel Islands Cooperative meet essential daily needs—from groceries to access to healthcare (Jersey Community Foundation, Local Needs Assessment, 2022).
Moreover, charities play a crucial role in safeguarding and shaping our ever-evolving cultural identity. They fund music and drama, operate museums, deliver public art and festivals and make culture accessible to all. This ensures that cultural engagement is a shared experience, woven into daily life and much richer for that.
Despite this, the financial sustainability of the sector is fragile. According to our Value of the Third Sector report (2024), undertaken by PwC Channel Islands, the sector contributes over £230 million to Jersey’s economy, employs more than 3,400 people (12% of the workforce) and is supported by over 5,800 volunteers. Yet:
· 37% of organisations operate with less than three months’ reserves.
· Over half must subsidise government contracts from other sources.
· Fewer than one in five receive corporate donations.
· Only 11% have a long-term strategic plan.
These figures reveal a funding imbalance. Many organisations are over-reliant on short-term grants, volunteer labour and goodwill—limiting their capacity to innovate, expand, or plan for the future.
A more strategic approach to philanthropy—one that aligns financial capability with community needs—could be transformative and mutually beneficial. In Jersey, we have a uniquely contained opportunity to strengthen the link between wealth and wellbeing, investment and impact.
What Does a Thriving Philanthropic Ecosystem Look Like?
A thriving philanthropic ecosystem is built on more than generosity—it requires the right infrastructure, expertise and partnerships to ensure capital is deployed effectively and with confidence.
We are encouraging and supporting best practice across the sector. We also work with businesses and individuals to grow the culture of philanthropy as part of a more strategic approach to philanthropy generally.
Our approach includes:
1. Providing a data-led, effective platform for strategic, long-term giving
As part of a global network of 1,800+ Community Foundations, at JCF we ensure efficient fund management, aligning with donors' wishes through specialised services. Our robust application process and use of sector-specific advisers and local research allow us to deploy funds effectively to areas of greatest local need.
There are several ways in which individuals and businesses can entrust their charitable funds with us: whether through legacy giving, setting up a donor advised fund or by contributing to our ‘themed funds’ to maximise the impact of your investment in a particular cause. More details can be found on the ‘giving’ page of our website.
Our government, along with generous individuals and businesses already do entrust significant sums to JCF to distribute locally. In June and July alone, we awarded over £1 million to local charitable causes. This included a further £400,000 in multi-year grants to organisations demonstrating both strategic ambition and measurable impact. Long-term commitments like these are vital to building the financial stability needed for lasting change. Our latest grant rounds brought our total distributed to local charitable organisations since 2020 to £10 million.
2. Creating a framework for strategic charitable commitments from businesses and individuals
In this context, philanthropic giving—whether by individuals, families, corporations, or foundations—represents more than token generosity. It is a strategic, tax-efficient approach to aligning private and corporate wealth with much-needed community benefit. It is important to acknowledge that many individuals and businesses in Jersey already give generously and effectively to local causes. Our aim is to encourage even greater philanthropic activity to further strengthen support for the community as we face increases in the cost of living and housing, the knock-on effects of an ageing population and a healthcare system deeply reliant on the third sector. To better understand the potential financial impact of increased philanthropy, I spoke with James Linder, Economist at PwC Channel Islands.
James told me that against the backdrop of very limited local data, it's really challenging to make direct comparisons to elsewhere when it comes to charitable giving. However, redirecting even a small proportion of Jersey’s financial capital into local giving could have a transformative effect. According to the Philanthropy Roundtable (2024), there is evidence to suggest that US corporations donate approximately 1% of their pre-tax profits to philanthropic causes annually. In the UK, the average FTSE 100 donates 0.9% of pre-tax profits, raising £1.82bn alone (CAF, 2024).
In Jersey the scale may be smaller, but the proportional potential is significant. In 2023 the Gross Operating Surplus for Jersey was £3.3bn, a proxy for profit (though not accounting for interest, taxation and depreciation etc.). This suggests that if Jersey businesses were to meet the same 0.9% of pre-tax profits being donated by UK FTSE 100 companies, then almost £30 million of industry donations would be going to charitable causes.
James also looked at household giving and tells me that according to the World Giving Report (CAF, 2024), UK households donated 0.75% of their income on average, while US households donate 0.97%. Using income sources from Revenue Jersey Statistical Digest, household income in Jersey was approximately £3.95bn (2023), if Jersey residents were to follow the giving behaviours of their US peers, then some £38 million of donations could be made annually.
Revenue Jersey Statistical Digest Income Tax: Years of Assessment 2022 to 2023 GST & ISE: Calendar Years 2023 to 2024: https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Tax%20and%20your%20money/ID%20Revenue%20Jersey%20Statistical%20Digest%202022%20to%202023.pdf
While data on Jersey giving is incomplete, findings from the Jersey Household Spending survey suggests that islanders donate on average 0.49% of income - this is broadly in line with some European countries, including Italy but below our peers in the UK, Switzerland and Ireland etc. Similarly, data from our Value of the Third Sector report suggests that corporate giving is well below £30 million annually. While not a complete picture – and of course, many in Jersey will not be in a position to give - this does suggest that there is real room for improvement.
We need to work with businesses and locals to determine the right percentage for Jersey and support regular, built-in-the-budget, effective and scalable giving from those that can afford to give.
3. Building Philanthropy into Wealth Advice
To embed philanthropy more deeply into Jersey’s financial culture, it needs to become a standard part of professional advice. Wealth managers, estate planners, and legal advisers have a critical role to play in making this shift.
As part of our Culture of Philanthropy series, JCF will host two targeted events in October 2025 at the Radisson Blu Hotel. The breakfast briefing, led by UK philanthropy expert Emma Beeston, is designed specifically for local professional advisers. It will explore how to integrate charitable giving into conversations around wealth planning, legacy strategies and client values.
These events build on our 2024 programme, which featured Professor Beth Breeze, the UK’s first Professor of Philanthropic Studies. They reflect our ongoing commitment to equipping both donors and advisers with the tools needed to engage in strategic, effective giving.
Advisers looking to enhance their confidence and capability in this area can register for the course for free at www.jerseycommunityfoundation.org.
JCF also offers several ways for advisers to work with us in fulfilling their clients’ philanthropic goals. This includes support with legacy giving, donor-advised funds, and pooled giving through our Community or Themed Funds. For more information, visit www.jerseycommunityfoundation.org/publications.
4. Enabling Better Charity Outcomes Through Data
The third sector’s ability to attract sustained support depends, in part, on its ability to demonstrate the value and impact of its work. According to our research, the top priority for many charities is improving data collection and impact reporting.
To support this, JCF is working with PwC Channel Islands on a pilot Impact Accelerator Programme. The initiative is currently being tested with 15 health and social care organisations and is designed to help charities build their capacity to capture and communicate outcomes.
This mirrors the approach used in the UK’s Skills for Care 2024 initiative, which found that adult social care in England delivers a return of £2.40 for every £1 invested. Robust data not only helps inform strategy—it also builds donor confidence, unlocking more ambitious and sustainable funding models.
Alongside this, on 14th October this year JCF are hosting an afternoon with Emma Beeston, UK philanthropy expert. Featuring a panel of local funders and an update from Government on Commissioning and Grants, the event will provide practical guidance for charitable organizations on developing funding applications, reporting impact, and building donor relationships. (sign up for free: www.jerseycommunityfoundation.org)
A Sustainable Future for Jersey
Jersey’s long-term success depends on maintaining not only financial competitiveness but also social cohesion, opportunity and quality of life. The charitable sector is instrumental in delivering many of the services and support mechanisms that enable this. While encouraging progress is being made in the UK with the development of a Philanthropy Policy, Jersey has an opportunity to follow Ireland’s lead, where a national strategy already supports and strengthens the culture of giving.
A stronger, more resilient third sector is in everyone’s interest. But it cannot be achieved through goodwill alone. It requires more strategic, consistent and collaborative investment —from individuals, businesses, advisers and charitable organisations alike.