Aurelia Kassatly

Spear’s Review

Aurelia Kassatly has an MBA from the University of Cambridge, where she specialised in finance, and is now a principal at Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). CAF is a registered UK charity providing services and assistance related to (U)HNW philanthropy.

Kassatly has advised CAF’s private clients on their impact and philanthropy since 2018. She previously worked at Founders Pledge, helping technology entrepreneurs and investors to take an evidence-based approach to their philanthropy.

The idea of ‘good giving’ – meaning that philanthropists should know exactly what they are trying to achieve, and be flexible in their giving – is central to CAF’s philosophy. With these conditions in place, Kassatly helps clients make a real difference and fulfil their potential as philanthropists.

Adviser Profile

Aurelia joined Charities Aid Foundation in 2018 from Founders Pledge, where she advised technology entrepreneurs and investors on how to give effectively. At CAF, Aurelia developed and launched the impact and philanthropy advisory proposition for private clients; a bespoke advisory offering tailored to the needs and preferences of each individual client. There was no such offering when Aurelia started and now the advisory team has worked with over 40 clients and advised on the disbursement of millions of pounds in donations to leading charities around the world.

For her high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, CAF’s advice puts their philanthropic goals to work. CAF’s private philanthropy clients inspire the team at every turn, stepping forward with generosity, advancing their giving plans and seeking counsel on how to achieve the most impact through their donations.

Aurelia is motivated by helping her clients to give more effectively, to use evidence and research in shaping their philanthropic decisions, and to collaborate with other donors to really move the needle in tackling complex social issues and develop a fulfilling giving strategy.

Aurelia has worked with non-profit organisations in Beijing and Beirut, giving her a truly global perspective on social issues, and a real interest in international development and poverty alleviation overseas.

Aurelia also works with a book of very active UHNW clients at CAF, supporting them with all elements of their giving. She has facilitated myriad impact investments and loans to a wide range of social purpose organisations, complex grant-making agreements to underpin long-term gifts, and has just taken over management of CAF’s legacy offering, which brings in gifts of about £20 million per year.