Helping to maximise the impact of community giving

Set up in 1987, Quartet Community Foundation is one of the oldest and most successful community foundations in the UK. The foundation manages over 130 charitable funds established by individuals, families, companies and others who want to see their charitable giving make a real impact in their community. Each year, around £2 million in grants is awarded to groups addressing priority needs in local communities, and for whom a small amount of money can make a big difference - enabling the foundation's supporters to touch the lives of thousands of families and individuals.

Helen Moss, director of quartet community foundation, explains how Coutts investment management expertise has helped:

“Roughly a quarter of our funds are 'flow-through' funds, where the donor wants all the money distributed directly. The vast majority, however, are endowment funds, where the aim is to build up the capital gradually so that it maintains its real value. That way, the income can be used to support good causes for years to come.

We liked the idea of spreading risk by investing in a fund of funds and were attracted to Coutts investment approach because it picks the very best managers from across the industry. Other companies that we looked at only offered in-house funds.

It’s crucial for us to get this right. We look after other people's money, and it's essential that they know they can trust us. They need to have real confidence that their money is well managed, and I believe Coutts spread of top quality funds should deliver that."

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