Winter 2009: Politics and philanthropy

With a UK General Election looming, in this issue, we explore the difficult relationship between politics and philanthropy and how they might work together to deliver positive change. In our main article we have invited the major UK political party spokespeople and ministers involved with philanthropy to tell us how they would promote giving and what they believe to be the most effective approach.

In our second article we look at the impact philanthropy has had on social justice and reform and the barriers and costs to donors stepping into the political arena. Ben Goldsmith, founder of clean technology enterprise WHEB Ventures, is one such philanthropist. He shares with us his bold approach to philanthropy and his motivations for it.

This issue we introduce EuroView, a new feature that offers a perspective on philanthropy from Continental Europe. In the first edition Etienne Eichenberger, of wise Partnership, reveals a new code of conduct for Swiss advisors among other leadership initiatives. While Melissa A. Berman, president and CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, writes in her Letter from America on ‘PhilanthroStimulus’ – how donors are working with governments to tackle the challenges of the recession in the US. And, in the spirit of the giving season, we ask members of the UK philanthropy community to share their ‘Dear Santa’ list with us, revealing the one policy they would most like to ‘unwrap’ on December 25th.

We also take this opportunity to bid a fond farewell to out-going director Susan Mackenzie for her work developing Philanthopy UK and her remarkable legacy of essential resources, including a Guide to Giving, Women & Philanthropy and the Giving Advice website for philanthropy advisors. We wish her well for the future. And we wish all of you a joyful holiday and a peaceful and prosperous New Year, while offering a hearty thanks to our contributors.

All best wishes,

Cheryl Chapman
Managing Editor

 

• Managing Editor: Cheryl Chapman
• Editorial Board: David Carrington (Chair), Beth Breeze, David Emerson and Sue Wixley

With support from Ben Eyre