Two of the world’s leading experts in strategic giving will play a major role in Northern Ireland’s first ever Philanthropy Fortnight which was launched today (8th April).
Ellen Remmer of US-based The Philanthropy Initiative and Marcelle Speller of the UK’s Local Giving organisation are in Northern Ireland to share their considerable expertise in encouraging more people to get involved in charitable giving.
There will be 13 wide ranging events organised by organisations including the launch of a brand new philanthropic charity, Giving Northern Ireland, the release of research on social innovation as well as events for young people to help them understand the importance of philanthropy.
“People are becoming more sophisticated in the way they give; they no longer just want to put a pound in a bucket for every charity they come across. They want to give but they want to know how their money is spent,” said Gary Mills, chairman of the new charity, Giving Northern Ireland.
“With the current economic situation, times are difficult for so many people across Northern Ireland; there’s never been a better time to highlight the need to give your time or your money to help a charitable organisation,” added Brona Whittaker from Arts & Business.
“It’s important for charities to come together and develop strategic plans to build the sector,” explained Helen McKeever from the Community Foundation NI.
Highlights of the Fortnight include:
- The launch of Giving Northern Ireland, Wed 10th April, Stormont followed by an event on Thurs 11th on Corporate Giving with the Institute of Directors.
- An all-day Give More Pledge Event will be held at Forestside Shopping Centre on 10thApril. The event aims to encourage the public to pledge their time or money to charities and good causes.
- Two events are being held for young people in Saintfield High School – the opening of the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative School Assembly and student presentations to choose a charity to support. Both events are 11th April.
- The launch of the Social Innovation Research Report commissioned by the Building Change Trust will be held on the 12th April at Crumlin road Gaol.
- A masterclass for charitable groups on integrating individual giving into the fundraising mix will be held on 17th April by Arts & Business NI.
- The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland is holding two events attended by Marcelle Speller, a dotcom millionaire who featured on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire. A founder of Local Giving, she will attend the launch of localgiving.com in Northern Ireland in Derry on 18th April. On the 19th she will speak at the Women and Philanthropy breakfast at the MAC Theatre.
The organisations behind Philanthropy Fortnight are: Giving Northern Ireland, Give More, the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, Building Change Trust, Community Foundation Northern Ireland, Arts & Business NI, Northern Ireland Trusts Group, Youth Action, Youth Philanthropy Initiative, the Association of Charitable Foundations, Heritage Lottery Fund, East Belfast Enterprise, the BBC, Atlantic Philanthropies, Lloyds TSB Foundation, Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Assembly.
For more information contact Tracy Bell at Giving Northern Ireland on 028 9032 8099 or email tracy.bell@givingnorthernireland.org
