Questions raised about purpose of Giving Forum

Fundraising | Gemma Ware | 1 Oct 2007

Members of the Giving Forum have been asked for their views on the future of the informal talking-shop after confusion at its latest meeting about its purpose.

The forum, which is hosted by the Charities Aid Foundation, has three main aims: to create liaison between key players, to drive up giving and to share good practice in giving. However, some attendees at the latest meeting on 12 September were concerned the group had lost focus. "It reminded me of the bits of the Giving Campaign at its worst," said one. Another said there was even "some confusion around the table as to what it was for".

In the absence of its regular chair Lord Richard Best, the meeting was chaired by John Low, chief executive of CAF. Other participants included the former director of the Giving Campaign Lord Joel Joffe, director general of the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) Campbell Robb, and Joe Saxton, chair of the Institute of Fundraising. Representatives from HMRC, Acevo, NCVO and the Institute of Philanthropy were also among those present.

Andrew Jones, CAF's executive director for external affairs and policy (pictured), said there was a discussion at the meeting about the future of the forum and how best it could serve to stimulate debate. Members were asked to think about their views on what the forum could do in the future in time to set an agenda for the next scheduled meeting in spring 2008.

Other agenda items included an assurance from Robb that philanthropy continued to be a priority of the OTS, and a discussion on gift aid.

CAF launched the Giving Forum in May 2005 to continue debate on philanthropy after the winding up of its Council for Charitable Support and the Giving Campaign.

Jones said: "It's very much an informal forum where people can come together to share news." He added that the forum did not make recommendations or adopt positions.

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