Major donors, trusts and companies made fewer £1m-plus donations in 2009/10 than in the previous four years on record, according to an annual tracking report released today.

The British public has the capacity to give more, but there is no consensus as to whether and what tax incentives can encourage more philanthropy, it was evident at a meeting of sector representatives in Westminster yesterday.

The top end of philanthropy is showing signs of growth, as a new report has found the number of donations worth £1m or more is on the rise.

While donors believe that charities exist primarily to help the needy, most donors tend to support organisations that promote their own preferences, help people they feel some affinity with and support causes that relate to their own life experiences according to research released today.