Philanthropy & Impact Advisory

Understanding Philanthropy & Impact Advisory

Philanthropy today extends beyond giving—it’s about measurable outcomes, transparent governance, and long-term sustainability.
For UHNWIs and family offices, structured philanthropy complements wealth planning, family governance, and citizenship-by-merit pathways.
For voluntary organisations, professional supervision and compliance support strengthen trust and attract long-term funding.

Our practice acts as a bridge between donors and donees, ensuring each side upholds the principles of transparency, effectiveness, and ethical stewardship.

Why Malta for Philanthropy & Impact

Malta offers one of Europe’s most credible and transparent frameworks for charitable and philanthropic activity.
The Voluntary Organisations Act (Chapter 492, Laws of Malta) provides a regulated system for registration, reporting, and oversight under the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (CVO).

Key advantages of Malta include:

• EU recognition of registered foundations and voluntary organisations
• Favourable tax and governance regime for charitable structures
• Strong regulatory oversight and independent verification
• Access to an ecosystem of financial, legal, and impact advisors

Malta’s neutral positioning makes it an ideal base for cross-border giving, charity supervision, and philanthropic structuring within EU and global frameworks.

Our Philanthropy & Impact Expertise

We provide comprehensive advisory and operational support across the philanthropy and non-profit spectrum:

• Structuring & Foundation Formation: Establishing charitable and private foundations, endowments, and donor-advised funds.
• Charity Verification & Due Diligence: Assessing governance, capacity, and transparency of recipient organisations.
• Philanthropy Supervision & Reporting: Ongoing follow-up with voluntary organisations; compiling verified impact reports with supporting documentation.
• Compliance Outsourcing for NGOs: Assisting existing voluntary organisations with governance reviews, reporting, and best-practice implementation.
• Cross-Border Advisory: Structuring international giving through tax-compliant and transparent mechanisms.
• Impact Measurement & ESG Alignment: Designing frameworks to evaluate and communicate measurable results.
• Philanthropy Linked to Citizenship or Residence: Ensuring charitable commitments under Malta’s citizenship-by-merit or residence programmes meet eligibility and compliance standards.

Our Approach to Structured Giving

Our approach integrates legal rigour, operational oversight, and practical verification:

1. Assessment: Understanding the donor’s objectives or the organisation’s mission.
2. Structuring: Creating or refining a legally compliant vehicle aligned with Maltese and EU standards.
3. Verification: Applying due diligence to ensure funds reach legitimate, capable, and transparent organisations.
4. Supervision: Monitoring project progress, expenditures, and deliverables.
5. Reporting: Producing detailed, verifiable reports for donors and regulators.

This integrated cycle allows us to safeguard donor intent and enhance the credibility of beneficiary organisations.

Supporting Voluntary Organisations

Beyond advising donors, we provide outsourced compliance, supervisory, and governance services for existing voluntary organisations in Malta.
We assist NGOs and foundations in:

• Implementing internal compliance and AML policies
• Preparing governance and impact reports for funders
• Managing donor supervision requests
• Aligning with international frameworks such as OECD DAC Evaluation Principles, EU AML Directives, and UN SDG reporting standards

By adopting internationally benchmarked practices, local organisations gain credibility and access to new funding sources.

Our Philanthropy & Impact Experience

Our lawyers have advised family offices, philanthropic foundations, and corporate donors on structuring and supervising charitable engagements in Malta and internationally.
We have also assisted Maltese voluntary organisations in strengthening governance frameworks, improving transparency, and implementing donor reporting systems.

The practice works in collaboration with our Family Office, Tax, and Immigration teams, ensuring that philanthropy is fully integrated into broader wealth and compliance strategies.

Our Credentials and Governance Standards

Our practice adheres to the highest professional and ethical standards, combining deep legal expertise with operational experience in project verification.
We maintain a proprietary database of Maltese registered charities and voluntary organisations, updated for governance, compliance, and reporting status.
Our work aligns with globally recognised standards including:

• OECD DAC Evaluation Principles
• Charities SORP (UK/IE)
• Malta CVO Reporting Framework
• ESG and Impact Investment Guidelines (EU)

How Our Philanthropy & Impact Lawyers Can Help You

We advise:

• Families and family offices — in designing and managing structured, verified giving strategies.
• Corporates and CSR units — in establishing compliant philanthropic programmes and monitoring outcomes.
• Voluntary organisations — in outsourcing compliance, implementing governance frameworks, and achieving international recognition.

Our integrated team combines legal, tax, and compliance advisory, offering both strategic guidance and hands-on project oversight.