Finding new ways of giving

There is huge potential in developing new innovative ways of giving. Over the past three years, NESTA has been working with a wide network of partners to understand and develop new approaches.

A particular focus for our work has been around the concept of reciprocal exchange - ways for people and organisations to give their resources, assets, skills and time, not just money, to help meet social needs. We have worked closely with the Cabinet Office to explore these insights and help inform government policy.

The proposals in the Giving White paper - particularly the Social Action Fund with its focus on innovation - are a welcome step in developing this area and we look forward to continuing to work with Cabinet Office and other organisations to further explore innovative ways to enable giving.

We are also excited to be working with SPICE, to help roll out their model of Community Time Credits; and to be working with Nominet to support Regalo - a new centre developed by the Big Society Network for promoting innovation in charity, philanthropy, public policy and social enterprise.

Read more about our work in these areas on Philip Colligan's blog "Public Services as a platform for giving".

For further information about SPICE visit www.justaddspice.org/

For further information about Regalo (also known as Spring) visit www.thebigsociety.co.uk

For further information about the Giving White Paper visit http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/

To see NESTA's submission to the Giving Green Paper visit www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/philip-colligan-essay_0.pdf