Indy Rosekilly
Founding Director
Growing Artists
13 Jul 2011

I believe that income is irrelvant I worked for the NHS, and schools and community groups in London for 14 years half of my job was paid the other half wasn't I was never thanked for this! nor was it labelled as philanthropy. Following cuts and increasing amounts of funding streams not going to the places they should, I decided to turn my fustration into passion and make a positive change, I have spent an entire year working full time voluntarily to found a non for profit voluntary social enterprise, I have lobbyed the council and we now have a previously redundant council building which is allowing us to slowly fundraise so we can provide free and subsidised creative therapies and classes for vulnerable and disadvanteaged groups who due to cuts are no longer provided for. I have made applications to children in need (still awaiting a decision!)and through building links in the council and showing that we could deliver partnership diversionary projects with children and young people, we are finally getting small amounts of money to pay for some teaching time and materials, its a small step in the right direction and I hope we can magically find private and public donors to support us, yet the most valuable thing I could offer was my time and when my husband was made redundant (he also works in charity) this was an option that became very scary but I have stuck to it I worked myself into the ground (Literally! and ended up in intensive care!) and now we are a fledgling organisation and people are starting to take interest. Funding, philanthrophy, volunteering all amounts to the same thing CARE ABOUT THE WORLD THE AROUND YOU AND THE PEOPLE in it, whether its your time, or your money, we have to lead through example a common question I have been asked is "so whats in it for you?" when people hear I haven't earnt a penny, and that any money we raise genuinely is going back into the community to help the people who don't have dedicated charity support, they are surprised and now are taking interest. It isn't about thanking people that give in what ever context, its about helping address some of the imbalance between those that live and have too much and turn a blind eye to those that live with nothing, those that had services they desperately needed and now have no access to anything and in the future will only be helped if they are considered to have "critical needs". The whole emphasis should be on finding ways to intervene in peoples lifes to help them to address their issues and overcome the problems that pervade their lifes so that they don't become "critical". The whole focus on fundraising is essential but it is also more important to find people that genuinely care that get a thrill from directly affecting peoples lives. How can I value a years worth of my time? and the risk this has put my own family under? (I am a qualified art therapist, registered psychologist and teacher and a practising artist) Am I philanthropist? and if so who should thank me?I don't expect a child who has nothing whos parents don't care to say "thankyou" I am thrilled when that child wants to come back and take part and help his or her peers in the same way. In the same way I would expect that those that "give" financially put emphasis and focus on how and where their money is spent and those that take that money should be equally focused on these things rather than saying thankyou and seeking more and more funding, some charities become greedy in that and a very small percentage goes to the actual frontline cause. As a society we need to stop complaining about things that are taken away and focus on how we can fill the gap and I believe those that don't care should be forced to through other means, whether thats a tax, a cap on ridiculous incomes or forced temporary volunteering, we all need to OPEN our eyes to the needs of those around us and actually DO something about it.

[Reply]

Emma Quinn
Grants manager
ELBA
7 Jul 2011

I think it's wrong to talk about 'tapping into' a section of the popluation for money. What should be done is relationship building. Getting someone on board with your organisation and what you do and then when they feel fully part of what you're doing and are enthusiastic about it, are happy to speak up for it and then, and only then may they decide to donate money to the cause.

[Reply]

David Tallon
Trustee
Pye Charitable Settlement
5 Jul 2011

Philanthropy springs from a recognition that, even for those who have worked hard for their spendable income, as well as those who have inherited it, there has always been some element of luck -- of being in the right place at the right time. To give something to those for whom that is not the case is honourable and worthwhile and not false. It can shed inhibitions to which we Brits are peculiarly prone.
I agree,in that context, that gushing thankyous get in the way.

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