In short, there has been recognition right across the UK that many areas of the UK have suffered economic decline, as the traditional industries which fuelled their growth have slowly shrunk. This has not just had an impact on the economic standing of communities, but we have seen the ramifications reach far and wide – affecting community cohesion, integration, as well as standards of living, equality and arguably the welfare of citizens.

Policy makers have rightly started to think about ways of addressing this growing economic inequality, and there has been an increasing focus on initiatives such devolution, city deals and the introduction of programmes like the "Northern Powerhouse" and the "Midlands Engine." Yet one element that has been absent from many of the political discussions on this topic is philanthropy, and the role it can play in driving local investment into urban centers whilst simultaneously reigniting a notion of community and belonging.

Read the full article by Kim Roberts about UK philanthropists on Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)