When Dame Stephanie Shirley was appointed the first British Government's Honorary Ambassador for Philanthropy, we thought,
“Well, we’re going to need a website.”
But then we wondered,
How would it advance philanthropic ideas in Britain?
(maybe turn them upside down, if we were lucky)
How might it inspire?
How might it resonate globally (maybe start something)?
We began to meet and talk with all kinds of philanthropists -- and philanthropic leaders -- in Britain and began to develop a site that we thought was simple and transforming.
It addresses the challenge that in Britain (and other places)
"philanthropists have no voice".
Charities have a voice; intermediaries -- those that advise people of wealth -- have a voice; the Treasury has a voice, with taxes; and Government has a voice, both loud and clear.
But philanthropists themselves have no voice. Why?
For one thing, that old but deep-seated notion that “Brits don't talk about their money or their giving…" was begging to be crushed. Once and for all. In fact, it seemed to us that this notion was already dead, but people were still mouthing the words despite the culture moving on.
No one had chronicled that shift, yet. At least, not in the philanthropic space.
So Dame Stephanie said: “Let’s do something about that.”
We’ll give philanthropists a voice. A real voice. Let them tell their giving stories in their own words, in their own way. No intermediary. Nobody saying what they “really mean”. No media interpretation.
We knew that there is a new wave of people doing interesting things with their giving. Bold and inspiring actions. Entrepreneurs who made their own money were turning their creative forces to helping solve problems. Openly.
These stories must be told and the results, as you can see and hear, are intimate. Powerful.
The Ambassadors for Philanthropy site will chronicle this culture shift so that others in Britain will see the importance of discussing openly what they care about when they give.
A voice for philanthropists - individually on this site and collectively through the Philanthropist Fellowship - also offers the chance to deliver clear messages about such issues as taxation, foundation development and the role of philanthropy to those who develop, decide and implement policy.
Already, some philanthropists have taken the lead; sharing their voices, experiences, anecdotes and ideas to assist and inspire others in their own philanthropic journeys. We thank them for their time and effort, and welcome others who want to explore their philanthropy in this way.
We want to videocast many more philanthropists in Britain, and eventually around the world, to give “philanthropists a voice”.
Tell your giving story. Contact us today.
Roberta d'Eustachio
Founding Executive Producer
chiefofstaff@ambassadorforphilanthropy.com
Dame Stephanie Shirley  |
James Caan  |
Matthew Bowcock  |
Sarah Teacher  |
Peter Heywood  |
Mike O'Regan  |
Frederick Mulder  |
Marcelle Speller  |