Almost three quarters of the largest UK family foundations have either founder donors, family members or both on their boards, according to a new study by the Association of Charitable Foundations.

The data, published in the Giving Trends Top 100 Family Foundations 2015 Report is taken from analysis of the UK’s top 150 family foundations (in terms of income) and shows that 110 of the top 150 family foundations have either founder donors or other family members as trustees.

The report estimates that there are a minimum of 180 family trustees involved in the top 150 family foundations, which between them give around £678m, excluding the Wellcome Trust.

Around three quarters of this giving (excluding that of the Wellcome Trust) being managed by boards with founder donors and or family trustees.

The report also shows that out of total UK family foundation assets of £41.5bn, almost half is under management by a board including a family member.

In 2013/14 family foundations made up over 56 per cent of the total value of grant-making in the UK giving over £1.3bn, with other top 300 foundation corporate foundations accounting for 35 per cent with £850m and corporate foundations accounting for 9 per cent with £217m.

Grant-making by family foundations also increased in the last financial year by 4.2 per cent to £1.38bn, up from £1.32bn in 2012/13.

The report also shows the top 20 UK foundations ranked by their giving. The Wellcome Trust topped the list, giving £487.7m in 2013/14. The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation came second with £68.6m, and the Garfield Weston Foundation came third with £53.4m.

Cathy Pharoah, co-author of the report, said: “For the first time our foundation research shows the ongoing importance of family wealth, family traditions, and family vision in the UK’s charitable giving; with many individuals taking a strong hand in strategy.

“These findings should be noted by any policy-makers or legislators inclined to mechanistic thinking: independence and individualism, often expressed through the family, continues to play an important role in UK philanthropy.”

The report shows that family foundations' total charitable spending was at its second highest level since 2009/10.

The report analysis the giving trends of the top 100 family foundations but also provides details on "the next 50".