There needs to be more recognition for the role philanthropy plays in society, the chief executive of the Charity Commission told an event in London yesterday.
David Holdsworth made the remarks at the Beacon Philanthropy & Impact Forum when responding to a question about how the commission is going to help create conditions where the impact economy will be able to succeed.
Holdsworth said: “As the regulator, I think we see strategic philanthropy a bit like irrigation. So, like irrigation, good strategic philanthropy doesn't randomly water the crop and the field.
“It is channelled deliberately to where it can have the biggest impact and achieve the biggest outcome.
“I think our job as a regulator is to make sure the framework and the channels are fit for purpose and that they can be used, and they're really clear and usable for both philanthropists the sector and for government as well.”
He added: “I think the other thing we should do is raise the visibility of the great work of the sector and of philanthropists.
“I think we've gone through a period where philanthropy has not had the recognition it should. It's not been celebrated as it should.”
More positive recent media coverage
Holdsworth praised the “more celebratory” media coverage of a recent £10m donation to the National Trust by philanthropist Humphrey Battcock, which he said recognises philanthropy as “a contribution to society”.
He also cited his hometown of Liverpool as somewhere that had benefitted from philanthropy, adding: “You had a few brave individuals in philanthropy who challenged local politicians to think differently, who challenged the community to reimagine itself and to get back its pride in place and its pride in community.
“Liverpool today is completely transformed […] It wasn't building something, but that initial spark from philanthropy in Liverpool has now created a city that is proud of itself, that is growing at twice the rate of the UK economy.
“And that's what philanthropy with central government, with local authority, can achieve, and that matters to people in communities, because that transforms their lives, and that's what we should facilitate, and we should celebrate as the regulator.”
Sector must celebrate itself more
Holdsworth also said that the charity sector needs to better “amplify the impact it has”, especially when dealing with government.
“I get really frustrated when you know the sector doesn't talk itself up,” he said.
“The sector in the UK delivers a huge amount. We heard from Jonathan [Simmons, CEO of NPC] earlier about the scale of economic impact, but it has impact on people's lives. It has impact on health, and has done for decades.
“And one of the things the sector can do better is amplify the impact it has.
“That ambition is creeping out, and I think it's great, but actually, let's not forget what this sector has achieved and contributed to this nation, and make sure that is always at the forefront of how we approach things.”
