Who is lobbying to raise taxes in the UK? (Part 3)

What is Thirty Percy?

Thirty Percy Foundation (charity number 1177514) is a small, independent UK philanthropic foundation established in 2019. It describes itself as an organization that "invests differently," aiming to redefine philanthropy by focusing on bold, experimental approaches to funding social and environmental change.

Mission and Approach

Its stated goal is to contribute to the "future security and wellbeing of our world" through sustainable development, education on environmental issues, and support for changemakers. Unlike traditional foundations that often fund specific projects with heavy restrictions, Thirty Percy emphasizes:

• Unrestricted, flexible funding — often direct grants to individuals (e.g., activists, artists, thinkers, and social justice leaders) rather than organizations or rigid programs. Typical individual grants range from £70,000 to £150,000 over 2–3 years.
• Collaboration and innovation — It positions itself as a partner to grantees, experimenting with new models of giving, "holding power lightly," and challenging conventional philanthropy norms.
• Focus areas — Include rebalancing economies, racial justice, climate and environmental work, new economics, place-based initiatives, and tax justice/wealth taxation. It has supported campaigns for taxing extreme wealth and reforming tax structures for the super-rich.

The foundation was born out of the Skagen Conscience Capital family office (a purpose-driven wealth management entity). It emerged from a family’s inherited wealth, with early leadership and exploration involving Louisa Mann (current Chair of Trustees) and others in the family circle. Trustees and team members often come from backgrounds in wealth, law, activism, and social change.

Scale and Plans

• Since around 2018, it has invested over £26 million, with £8 million more committed and plans to deploy an additional £11 million before closing.
• It has announced it will intentionally close in 2030. The rationale is to spend down its resources for maximum immediate impact, avoid perpetuating institutional philanthropy indefinitely, and model a "generative ending" that leaves behind tools, knowledge, partnerships, and provocations for others.
• Recent income (year ending March 2025) was around £6 million, mostly from donations and legacies, with charitable spending of about £5.6 million.

Connection to Tax Justice UK

In spring 2024, Thirty Percy began funding in the UK tax justice space. It provided £400,000 in flexible core funding (2024–2028) plus an additional £40,000 for strategy development — one of the largest single commitments to the organization. This aligns with Thirty Percy’s interest in economic rebalancing and supporting reforms to tax the wealthiest more heavily.

In summary, Thirty Percy is a progressive, time-limited foundation that uses family wealth to experiment with more radical, people-centered philanthropy, with a particular recent interest in tax reform and inequality issues. Its website (thirtypercy.org) and Medium blog ("Thirty Percy — the final years") provide more on its philosophy, grants, and reflections. Like many such funders, it maintains a relatively low public profile on exact family details while being transparent about its grant-making approach.