Philanthropy and the Ripple Effect: Why thoughtful giving really matters

Two Ridings recently had the pleasure of speaking at an event at Scampston Hall hosted by Investment Management Company Quilter Cheviot on the topic of philanthropic giving. It was a room filled with people thinking seriously about how to make a difference—people with both the means and the mindset to create real, lasting impact.

Celia was invited not just to talk about what we do at Two Ridings Community Foundation, but to offer some thoughts—and perhaps even a few provocations—on what it means to give well. Because philanthropy, at its best, is not just about generosity. It’s about responsibility, intention, and impact.

The Ripple Effect in Action

Let me share a story we received just last week.

We’d facilitated a donation—£9,000 of unrestricted funding—to a youth club in Thirsk, a North Yorkshire town. Here’s what the organisation told us:

“These first few months in our new rented premises have been very busy with a lot of essential work to meet statutory regulations. We‘re really SO grateful for the unrestricted funding we received.  We’re told by the town council and police that youth club is making a big difference to the community safety and no anti-social behaviour; and we ourselves see the difference in children’s behaviour and wellbeing. I’d like the donors to know the huge difference their generosity makes to so many people, as well as being a huge encouragement and help to us as an organisation.”

This is the ripple effect in action.

• The young people benefit directly—they socialise, make friends, their wellbeing improves, their confidence grows, and they have a safe space where they can just be.
• The organisation is strengthened—able to meet regulations, keep the lights on, and deliver vital services.
• The wider community feels the impact too—less anti-social behaviour, safer streets, better relationships.

All from one thoughtful gift.

Five Principles of Thoughtful Philanthropy

This story perfectly illustrates the kind of giving we advocate for—giving that is rooted in values and delivers far-reaching impact. To help guide donors in their own journey, we encourage five core principles:

1. Start with Your Values

What matters to you? Whether it’s mental health, education, the climate crisis or the arts—clarity about your values helps clarify your giving. Consider the timeframe (immediate relief or long-term change?) and the geography (local, national, or global?) you care about most. Your ‘what’ and ‘why’ will shape your ‘how’.

2. Give Strategically

There are many ways to give—cash donations, in-kind gifts, donor-advised funds, community foundations, private foundations, and even impact investing. The key is to choose the method that aligns with your objectives.

At Two Ridings, we’re proud to work with donors who want to create impact locally, using our expertise to make sure every penny counts. Whether it’s a named fund or contributing to a collective fund, community foundations offer a trusted, effective vehicle for strategic giving.

3. Know Where and How Your Money Works

Great philanthropy isn’t just about giving—it’s about giving well. Ask questions. Do your due diligence. Understand the organisations you support. And once you’re confident, trust them to do what they do best. Flexibility and faith in the people doing the work is often the biggest gift you can give.

4. Consider the Shape of Your Giving

Be thoughtful about restrictions. While it’s tempting to earmark every pound, unrestricted funds often make the biggest difference. They allow charities to respond in real time to changing needs—like that youth club who were able to choose where the money was needed most to achieve their aims.

And think about leverage—is there more impact in acting alone or pooling resources with others? Often, collective funding (like our community funds in York, Harrogate, Hull and beyond) stretches money further and deepens impact.

5. Think Long-Term and Legacy

What kind of world do you want to help build—not just now, but in the future? Consider how you might pass on your values through your philanthropy. Whether that’s by establishing an endowment fund, writing charitable giving into your estate planning, or simply role-modelling generosity to the next generation—legacy matters.

At Two Ridings, we manage dozens of endowments—funds that will continue generating support for local communities for generations to come. They’re a powerful way to build something that lasts.

Final Thoughts

Philanthropy isn’t a one-off transaction—it’s a journey. A journey of learning, listening, adapting, and doing. And the most powerful gifts? They often come not with strings, but with trust.

Whether your contribution is big or small, local or global, immediate or long-term—what matters most is how you relate the intention of your giving, to the way you do it, to the impacts it achieves.

Thank you again to Quilter Cheviot for inviting us to speak—and to everyone who’s already on this journey. At Two Ridings, we’re here to walk it with you.

Want to know more about how your giving can make a lasting difference? Get in touch—we’d love to talk.