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Philanthropists, charitable trusts and foundations and corporate donors have gathered at a roundtable convened by Community Foundation North East and the North East Combined Authority to consider ways of adding value to better address the region’s challenges and opportunities.
Rob Williamson OBE, DL, CEO of Community Foundation North East, set the scene for this first regional philanthropy roundtable by reflecting on the area’s rich history and tradition of generosity. He noted that modern philanthropy in the North East was characterised by its two leading community foundations, the range of charitable trusts and foundations and the direct giving of money, time and expertise by individuals and businesses.
However, Rob also referred to national data showing that charitable giving was under pressure, with fewer people and businesses donating overall, and philanthropy not always flowing to where it was most needed. He also noted developments in Government Policy, including the announcement of a new Office for the Impact Economy.
Dr Charlotte Carpenter, Director of Skills, Inclusion and Public Service Reform, described the North East Combined Authority’s missions and its local growth plan. She highlighted the strategic focus on growing the region’s economy in ways which meant everyone could benefit. Despite challenges around economic inactivity, skills and attainment gaps, and child poverty, Charlotte noted the region’s strengths, including its people and social capital as demonstrated by the vibrant voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.
Charlotte drew attention to Combined Authority’s ground-breaking investment through its child poverty action plan which presented opportunities for collaboration with other funders in the region. And she also noted initiatives such as the Government Better Futures Fund where public bodies would need to work alongside philanthropy to lever in national resources.
There was a wide-ranging discussion among attendees, which covered:
• Ways to better engage and advise businesses of all sizes in effectively giving money, time and expertise – including through employee volunteering.
• The role of social value considerations in public sector procurement and commissioning processes.
• The need to focus on education and skills as means of getting ahead of problems including child poverty – and the role of philanthropy working in and with schools.
• The loss of youth centres and a call to see youth and community work as a key part of the ‘foundational economy’ in the region.
• The importance of not creating gaps in philanthropic support through ‘clause clustering’ driven by funders’ own practices or the priorities of public bodies.
• The opportunity to support greater networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration between regional funders and donors including public bodies.
• The importance of the Combined Authority’s convening role and the opportunity devolution provided for partners to coalesce around shared agendas while still maintaining separate areas of focus.
Rob Williamson, Chief Executive of Community Foundation North East said:
“At Community Foundation North East, we see devolution and the North East Combined Authority as a great opportunity to create a renewed sense of regional identity and pride, grow civic participation and tackle key regional challenges. Philanthropy – the giving of money, time and expertise – can add value, by complementing what public bodies do as well as by funding the things that the state can’t, won’t or shouldn’t do. We’re delighted to have convened such a vibrant discussion with those reflecting the breadth of charitable, individual and corporate giving in the region.”
Charlotte Carpenter, Executive Director of Skills, Inclusion and Public Service Reform at the North East Combined Authority said:
“Devolution and the increased strategic clarity that that can bring to the region, is a real opportunity to work in partnership, harnessing our strengths to address our challenges. Now more than ever, business giving and philanthropy has a vital role to play in crowding in additional funding and adding value enabling us to scale up initiatives that we know are working in local areas.”
The roundtable was kindly hosted by Muckle LLP, a firm which plays a leading role in the ‘business for good’ field including through its fund at Community Foundation North East.
