David Puttnam is wrong.

On tonight's 10:00 BBC news, David Puttnam makes the same tired argument, linking his concept of American-style philanthropy to wealthy donors who want their names on buildings.  He said it wouldn't work in the UK, calling it "tacky" and adding that he himself would be "embarrassed" by such recognition.


Codswallop.


Puttnam, bless him, continues to perpetuate the stereotype of the philanthropy coming solely from the wealthy narcissists.  


The cultural shift in the UK's giving will be driven by donors at every level, and the fundraisers who facilitate that giving.  Support of charitable organizations is a responsibility we're all learning to share, and not one that's only borne by the wealthy.


Rick Holland CFRE MInstF
Director
Confident Philanthropy Ltd.

Did you give less last year?

Good piece of information from our American colleagues, via an article in the New York Times which can be found here.


Although the report on decreases in voluntary income are timely, what I find more intriguing is how the entire funding picture breaks down.


The Giving USA foundation reports that an estimated $303.75 billion was given away in 2009.


Of this total, $227.41 billion came from individuals.  That's a healthy 75%.


Trust and foundation giving was down as well, to $38.44 billion, but that's just 13% of the total.


Corporate giving was up, to an estimated $14.1 billion, a paltry 5% of the total.


Why do we continue to put so much effort into pigeonholing  fundraising (and fundraisers) into outmoded jobs like "corporate account executive" or "trust fundraiser"?


As fundraising professionals, let's encourage our employers and clients to think differently, and stop concentrating so much resource and effort to 18% of the fundraising pie.


Rick


Rick Holland CFRE MInstF
Confident Philanthropy Ltd.


www.confidentphilanthropy.co.uk