CEO of New Philanthropy Capital, Jonathan Simmons on Why Giving Should Be Fun, Strategic and Accessible
- Admin
- Aug 31
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 1
In this episode, Jonathan Simmons, Chief Executive Officer of New Philanthropy Capital (NPC), offers a compelling vision for the future of philanthropy. He argues that giving should be both fun and strategic, and explains how individuals, families and organizations can unlock the joy and impact of philanthropy.
NPC was founded more than two decades ago to help philanthropists make smarter, evidence-based decisions about where to direct their resources. Today, NPC plays a central role in shaping the UK’s philanthropy and social impact sector, bridging the worlds of charities, social enterprises and impact investing. Under Jonathan’s leadership, the organization is not only focused on evaluating philanthropic effectiveness but also on growing the overall culture and market of giving.
Key Themes Discussed
The evolution of New Philanthropy Capital (NPC): From its origins with ex-Goldman Sachs bankers to becoming a leading force in the UK’s social impact ecosystem.
Why philanthropy should be enjoyable: How framing giving as fun encourages more people to participate, from high net worth individuals to everyday donors.
Breaking down barriers to giving: Understanding psychological hurdles, social skepticism and the lack of visibility around positive philanthropic stories.
The power of giving circles and pooled funds: Why collective philanthropy can reduce costs, amplify impact and create more meaningful donor experiences.
Trust-based philanthropy and unrestricted giving: How shifting dynamics between donors and charities can strengthen the sector.
The role of government and policy: Opportunities to simplify systems like Gift Aid, incentivize impact investment and foster a more robust “impact economy.”
Philanthropy for all levels of wealth: Why surplus capital—whether £1,000 or £100 million—can and should be directed toward social good.
Why This Conversation Matters
Philanthropy is often seen as the preserve of the ultra-wealthy, but Jonathan Simmons challenges that perception. He emphasizes that anyone with surplus capital can contribute to positive change, and that philanthropic activity is more effective when it’s approached with both rigor and enthusiasm.
For those in the nonprofit sector, wealth advisory or impact investing, this discussion highlights the importance of collaboration, storytelling and creating conditions that make giving easier and more attractive. For donors at all stages, it’s an invitation to view philanthropy not only as a duty but also as a source of joy and community.
About Jonathan Simmons
Jonathan joined NPC in November 2024 as CEO. He has 25 years’ experience delivering purpose driven projects.
He’s worked with many different organisations: global charities like UNICEF, community focused projects like Barking and Dagenham Giving, global brands like Nike and UK companies like Tesco.
He has led teams delivering digital transformation, organisational redesign, large scale participatory design projects, brand redevelopment and impact investment strategies.
He founded Zone (originally called Public Zone), a digital agency initially focused on charities which became the UK’s leading independent digital agency. In 2018, Jonathan exited Zone after the agency’s successful sale to a global consultancy.
Since then, Jonathan has:
• invested in a range of purpose driven start-ups
• co-founded local experiences market place Yuup
• worked as a senior consultant for organisations including Lumos, Beacon Collaborative, and Bloomsbury football.
Jonathan is a trustee of JW3 and PRiSM The Gift Fund.