FOCUSED PHILANTHROPY
CHRISTOPHER LAVENDER
Christopher spent 22 years as the Director of the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, setting the Foundation up for the family, developing its procedures and refining its aims and objectives. He moved into consultancy in 2019 and is currently a trustee of several private foundations and NGOs. He is also the Chairman of the Studer Trust - an educational NGO working in Myanmar.
Christopher advises and speaks across a wide range of philanthropic topics, including the setting up of family foundations, and advising on fundraising from the perspective of the donor.
Note: Fees are negotiated individually and take into account that
the client’s purpose is philanthropic rather than ‘for profit’
PHILANTHROPIC FOCUS
LIVELIHOODS, HEALTHCARE & EDUCATION
The focus of Christopher's work is on improving livelihoods, healthcare, education and environmental issues in the rural areas of China, Nepal, Burma, Bangladesh, India, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Working closely with local NGOs and targeted communities to bring real change and opportunity to their lives.
EVALUATION & RISK ASSESSMENT
Evaluation and assessing risk are key tools of effective philanthropy as is the relationship between the funding partners, the donor, the implementing NGO, and the community. Regular and candid communication is an essential tool of a successful funding partnership.
MEDICAL RESEARCH
Christopher also advises on setting up funding protocols for international collaborative projects focused on cancer research, trauma and other medical projects.
COMMITMENT TO CHANGE
People are the most powerful agents for change – and Christopher believes from experience that in developing countries women are leading the way in implementing sustainable change in the developing world.
He also believes that ‘seeing is believing’ and that the only way to ensure what is happening on the ground - and that the funds concerned are making a quantifiable and sustainable difference to people's lives at the point of need - is to visit projects in the field on a regular basis.
CHRISTOPHER OFFERS THE FOLLOWING ADVISORY SERVICES:
Setting up and running a Family Foundation
Identifying beneficiaries / funding partners
Assessing risk and sustainable outcomes
Scrutiny and accountability
Pre and Post funding Evaluation
Appraisal of Development Issues / Disaster Relief
The advantages v disadvantages of funding International Non-governmental Organisations (INGOs)
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – how to make a real difference to people’s lives versus ‘ticking the corporate box’
Advising NGOs on what to include and what not to include when applying to grant giving foundations
