IoF brings philanthropists and senior fundraisers together to boost giving
Howard Lake | 20 March 2012 | News
The Institute of Fundraising yesterday held an invitation-only meeting of philanthropists and senior fundraisers to discuss how to boost charitable giving in the UK.
The breakfast meeting, held in partnership with the Philanthropy Review, was an opportunity for wealthy individuals and fundraising directors to speak frankly about opportunities and barriers to charitable giving. The meeting operated under the Chatham House Rule so although what was discussed can be reported, the identities of the participants and what each might have said can not.
Institute of Fundraising Chief Executive Peter Lewis chaired the meeting and, speaking afterwards, described it as “very positive – people really want to work together”. He added: “We’ve felt for quite some time that philanthropists and fundraisers need to better understand each others’ point of view. Today’s meeting provided that opportunity and delivered some valuable learning points which will lead to fundraisers and philanthropists working more closely together.”
Thomas Hughes-Hallett, Chief Executive Marie Curie Cancer Care and Chair of the Philanthropy Review, commented after the event: “It is so good to see fundraisers and funders meeting together to explore how we can improve the value and impact of giving.” The Philanthropy Review was launched in December 2010 to identify evidence and advocate for practical measures to increase giving in the immediate term and to build a stronger culture of philanthropy in the longer term.
The Institute will now develop a plan of action to help ensure that practical measures are developed to help improve understanding and relationships between philanthropists and fundraisers. Lewis noted a sense that “there needs to be more and better asking from good causes. If philanthropists aren’t being engaged with then why should they even consider giving?”
www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.