Posted on 11th November 2011
A week of philanthropy-promoting events in Northern Ireland and Wales point to a healthy appetite to learn more about philanthropy.
In Northern Ireland The Vision in Philanthropy group, comprising Arts & Business NI, The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, Lloyds TSB Foundation, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Assembly, Ulster Community Investment Trust and the Ulster Heritage Lottery, aims to stimulate debate about philanthropy and raise awareness of the benefits to recipients and donors through a series of events at the end of the month.
The week will include a breakfast event for financial advisers, tax accountants and lawyers about the relevance of philanthropy to their business. There will be a presentation from Barclays Wealth’s director of client philanthropy UK & Ireland , Emma Turner, a Philanthropy Forum for young people, which will help young people to recognise the role they might play in the future.
At a seminar on 30th November, IVAR will be presenting findings from its publication, Beyond Money a study of funding plus in the UK and Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland will be discussing its research into social return on investment.
The Community Foundation in Wales begins its first ever promotion week on November 14 and will also see the launch of the Philanthropy Wales website. Events include a symposium exploring venture philanthropy, with venture philanthropist and Community Foundation Network chairman Matthew Bowcock, the launch of Local Giving Wales, a digital platform that connects donors with under the radar charities in Wales, as well as a 'speed-dating for donors' event in association with The Funding Network, the Dragon's Den of fundraising, to be held on November 17th at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff. First Minister of Wales Rt. Hon Carwyn Jones AM will speak at the reception along with with keynote speaker Marcelle Speller, ‘Secret Millionaire’ and founder of Localgiving.com.
The Northern Ireland Community Foundation’s fund development manager Helen McKeever says: “Philanthropy is not a commonly used term in Northern Ireland and there is often a misconception that philanthropy is something for the ‘very wealthy’.”
She also says the reliance on other funding methods in the past has allowed the pursuit of private philanthropy to take a back seat. In addition there are cultural issues at play. “Unlike our US counterparts, people in NI are often less willing to talk publicly about what they do, making it much harder for the practice of philanthropy to spread.
“We want to encourage philanthropists to speak up about their work so that other people will hear about the immense benefits it can bring and perhaps consider the role it might play in their own lives.”
Liza Kellett, chief executive of the Community Foundation in Wales says: “Our ambitions to become the ‘First for Philanthropy in Wales’ are being realised through convening Wales’ first ever national week for philanthropy. We’re particularly pleased with the warm feedback and interest shown by so many businesses and organisations in the concept of a Welsh Philanthropy Week. This has proven to us, and all of those working in the sector, that there is a real interest and appetite for a national week celebrating and learning about philanthropy in Wales."
