50th Anniversary

On the 17th of March 1967, David Sainsbury established the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, writing out a cheque for five pounds as an initial gift. Lord Sainsbury has since given more than one billion pounds to Gatsby to distribute to charitable causes.

50th Anniversary
Lord David Sainsbury's ambition to take on some of society's biggest challenges with compassion, thoughtfulness, and rigor is inspiring.
Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Across 50 years, Gatsby has contributed to numerous remarkable successes, but has also experienced several disappointments. To mark our anniversary, David Sainsbury commissioned author Georgina Ferry to write a book to celebrate those successes, explore those disappointments, and reflect on what we could learn about how charitable giving can improve the world by taking on daunting social, economic and scientific challenges.

'A Better World Is Possible - The Gatsby Charitable Foundation and Social Progress' was published in September 2017.

David Sainsbury's hope is that this book will encourage, inspire and help others to use their charitable giving to try to make the world a better place.

It is an inspiring story of human generosity, the power of engaged philanthropy, and how science and education can make the world better.
Sir Paul Nurse, former president of the Royal Society and chief executive of the Francis Crick Institute
The Gatsby Charitable Foundation has shown that philanthropy can promote innovation and risk taking for the benefit of us all. This timely book is a stimulating journey through years of insightful and transformative grant-making.
Dawn Austwick, CEO of the Big Lottery Fund
David Sainsbury's 50 years of outstanding philanthropic work has unlocked social progress in a unique way - venturing into areas where no one has gone, testing ideas no one has thought of, sponsoring lifesaving and life enhancing innovations no one has championed and by investing in the best of causes his charities have transformed conditions for millions.
Gordon Brown - former Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer

You can learn more about the book by clicking here.

50th Anniversary