Changing Tides: Offshore Opportunities for Philanthropic Structuring

Fairway is proud to be featured in the Thought Leaders 4 Private Client Magazine, July Edition titled 'Movement, Strategy, Evolution- Offshore Edition'. Dominique Burnett, Fairway's Private Client Director, explores the changing tides within the philanthropic sphere, rethinking philanthropic structuring and the evolving offshore opportunities. 

Read Dominique's insights below:

The Philanthropic Shift

Over the years we have seen the landscape and nature of philanthropy shift; from predominantly large transactions and grant style giving, it is now leaning toward more strategic and purpose-oriented philanthropic structures.

With this, comes opportunity, innovation and challenges to create versatile and efficient structures that will guarantee long-term alignment to a client’s philanthropic vision, both in their life and their legacy.

What we are seeing now, is flexibility and nimbleness growing within the philanthropic space. It reflects how the developments in structures and wealth planning, are ultimately reactions to the different desires and needs of the clients that we are working with. For us as advisors, our mission is to keep up with clients and become as innovative as they need us to be.

The Nature of Giving

Philanthropy is no longer something people think about at the end of their wealth journey, or before a transfer of wealth takes place within their family. Rather, it is something central to how many of our clients view success. Whether it is strategic giving, social investing, or building a legacy of purpose, clients are seeking trusted partners to guide them along their journey.

While there’s often a perception that philanthropy is a hallmark of established wealthy families, we see a different picture. People are starting to give for many reasons - after retirement, personal loss, or life experiences that leave a lasting impression. What they seem to have in common is a desire to create positive change through their wealth. Wherever a client is on that journey, our first step is understanding their motivations. Are they looking to achieve a specific result, or are they seeking meaning and long-term legacy? Clarifying their objectives helps us to shape a structure best suited to achieving their goals.

The Next Generation and Their Hybrid Approach 

One of the most exciting developments we see is the mindset shift among the next generation.Today’s younger philanthropists are not waiting to give, they’re focused on contributing to society and delivering good from the outset, whether they inherit their wealth or whether they have created it themselves.

The younger generation are more likely to talk about combining traditional giving with ESG investments. They support grassroots causes and actively engage with issues of climate change, mental health and education (often causes and sectors that are personal to them). Their approach is less about legacy, and more about seeing the impact of their endeavours while they are alive.

Such a dynamic and blended approach to philanthropy is also driving demand for tech-enabled solutions. Data, AI and digital platforms help clients measure their impact, monitor giving outcomes and collaborate with others in unprecedented ways, transforming the philanthropic landscape. At the same time, blended finance and impact investing are gaining ground, creating opportunities for both financial return and social good.

Rethinking Philanthropic Structures 

Traditionally, charitable trusts and Foundations have been the go-to vehicles for structured giving. These remain popular because they are robust, proven and offer the formal governance many families look for. However, we have seen increasing demand for more all-purpose, innovative options, particularly among international families. For example, Donor Advised Funds (DAF) can be an opportunity for a family to begin their philanthropic journey without committing to a particular structure. As their experience or needs develop, the family can then make an informed decision about more bespoke structuring.

With giving becoming more international, families and individuals must consider not just how to structure their philanthropy but where. This is where Jersey’s dynamic structuring options stand out from those of other jurisdictions, with advantageous options such as Protected Cell Companies (PCCs), allowing the segregation of assets and companies into separate protected cells.

As the structuring options for giving broaden, reflection of a defined strategy is key to holding together the multiple and often complex assets and activities operating under their purview. Our role is to construct and monitor all the working parts of these vehicles, ensuring the internal design is robust, yet adaptable to external weathering.

Jurisdiction of Choice

This is where Fairway’s headquarters in Jersey, a leading international finance centre, offers a unique proposition.

 As key factors such as tax residency, political and economic stability and a comprehensive regulatory and legal framework all become increasingly part of the conversation, Jersey is well positioned to serve these demands.

Jersey provides bespoke, independent structuring backed by jurisdictional strength, global experience, and a genuine passion for helping families create meaningful change. Our team is experienced in multi-jurisdictional structuring and work with a wide range of international clients. Whether structuring a Foundation in Jersey, managing a DAF aligned with US regulations, or supporting international giving across Europe or Asia, we work closely with clients and their advisors to ensure compliance and maximum impact. Jersey offers structures designed to facilitate change, complementing the shift we are increasingly seeing within the world of philanthropy and wider wealth planning.

The Jersey Foundation

An example that showcases this is the Jersey Foundation, which has become a powerful tool for structured giving.

It allows for both charitable and non-charitable purposes under one umbrella, enabling flexibility for clients. The Foundation's objectives can be amended over time, allowing them to evolve in parallel with the client’s own goals, yet remaining effective and responsive to the financial climate and risks. Jersey trusts also continue to offer a solid option for both pure philanthropy and for those wishing to combine giving with seeing a return through other channels such as ESG investing. These vehicles demonstrate the desire and ability to integrate philanthropy alongside broader wealth planning, such as family asset planning and business holding purposes.

A Jersey Foundation Case Study: International HNW Client

A Jersey Foundation was the ideal solution for a high-net-worth international client that had a clear philanthropic vision; to create a purpose-driven structure that could scale globally, outlive them, and reflect their lifelong commitment to healthcare and education. Having grown up in hardship in China, the client wanted to give back in a meaningful and lasting way.

• The Foundation offered flexibility, long-term viability, and the ability to segregate different philanthropic streams, perfect for managing the client’s diverse initiatives under one structure. The client became the Founder, working in partnership with us as a council member, actively shaping strategy and direction. We manage all administration, compliance, and stakeholder coordination, ensuring the structure runs smoothly while aligning with Jersey’s trusted regulatory environment.
• The Foundation has made a variety of impactful initiatives, ranging from funding overseas education tuition, research in healthcare technologies and forming direct hospital partnerships to subsidise healthcare for the elderly. Beyond philanthropy, the structure supports the client’s wider goals, including asset protection and succession planning. The Jersey Foundation offers a modern, adaptive approach to legacy building, proving that when structured thoughtfully, giving can be both powerful and enduring.