Charles Keidan is the founder of Keidan Philanthropy, where he advises funders, families, charities and political parties on driving social change.

He served until October 2025 as Executive Editor of Alliance magazine, the preeminent publication covering philanthropy worldwide, growing the organisation threefold during his tenure. His writing as a critical friend to philanthropy was widely appreciated for its drive for a more ethical, accountable and effective field.

Charles spent the formative decade of his career as the executive director of Pears Foundation working alongside chairman and philanthropist Sir Trevor Pears playing an instrumental role in developing the foundation’s vision, strategy and significant growth. During this time, he made regular visits to Israel, the West Bank and and the Gaza Strip pioneering innovative philanthropy techniques to prevent the devastating impact of the Israel-Palestine conflict divding communities in the UK and beyond.

Today, at Keidan Philanthropy, Charles advises people and organisations on the most effective ways to use philanthropy, law, and campaigning for social change.

He is a special advisor to Liberty, the UK's leading human rights organisation and a non-executive director and columnist at Dutch philanthropy publication, World of Philanthropy. He is also a co-founder of the Law for Change Fund which has backed over 100 legal actions since its founding in 2023. Law for Change pursues legal actions to hold governments, public bodies and companies to account when they abuse their power. Charles also co-founded the Tenacious Awards which funds some of the UK's leading public interest campaigners and journalists.

Outside of professional life, Charles successfully campaigned to change the law preventing different sex couples becoming civil partners. Alongside Dr Rebecca Steinfeld, an emphatic Supreme Court ruling in 'Steinfeld & Keidan v the Secretary of State’ resulted in new legislation to make civil partnerships available for all. These efforts were widely reported in national and international media. They were hailed as ‘a model of effective activism’ by leading campaigner, Peter Tatchell, and ‘an act of public service’ by then Equalities Minister, Penny Mordaunt.

Charles lives in west London with his civil partner and their three children.