Assembly Ministers back growth of philanthropy in Northern Ireland ...

A survey of Assembly members suggests that ministers should take more action to encourage philanthropy.

Nine out of ten MLAs at Stormont believe the Executive should help to promote public understanding around the value of giving and philanthropy in Northern Ireland, a new survey has revealed.

More than four out of five MLAs believe that the Executive should work in partnership with philanthropy and philanthropic organisations to try and create better solutions to social problems.

The survey, carried out by Stratagem in conjunction with polling and research company ComRes, on behalf of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, also found that, despite current economic woes, only 14 per cent of MLAs believed that Northern Irish citizens are unable to support charitable and philanthropic giving.

Local philanthropists such as Angila Chada and Michael McKibbin (pictured above) are prime examples of this philanthropic capacity.

Both have recently had their giving recognised at the Beacon Awards, an annual ceremony to celebrate philanthropists across the UK.

On top of this, 83 per cent of MLAs agreed the Executive should follow the example set by the Dublin and Westminster governments to support and drive plans to increase levels of philanthropic and charitable giving.

In 2008, the Forum for Philanthropy was set up in the Republic of Ireland and last year published a report on philanthropic giving in the country. The report, launched by current Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, contains four main recommendations including the establishment of a national giving campaign, improving the fiscal environment by incentivising greater giving, developing better fundraising capacity, education and training among not-for-profit organisations, and creating a National Social Innovation fund supported by the Government and the philanthropic sector.

Meanwhile, in 2011 the UK Government supported the plans to develop and build a stronger culture of philanthropy in the UK outlined in ?The Philanthropy review?, and in 2012 Westminster announced a u-turn on tax relief for charitable giving, following the success of the ?Give It Back George? campaign.

The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland commissioned the survey to try and gauge the level of interest and knowledge around philanthropy and giving at Stormont.

With a long history of supporting communities, the Community Foundation was interested to take the political temperature and to show that there is still opportunity to make a difference in communities across Northern Ireland, despite impending government and EU funding cuts.

Helen McKeever, Fund Development Manager at the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, said: ?We are really encouraged by the results of this survey. It shows a real desire on the part of politicians to engage with philanthropy and to help develop it in Northern Ireland.

?With cuts to community funding, as well as cuts in benefits, really starting to bite, the charity sector is becoming more and more important in delivering services to those who need them most.

?However, the sector is not immune to the economic malaise and we believe encouraging people to be more philanthropic is essential for us to continue delivering these services.

?The charity sector in Northern Ireland has a long track record of delivering innovative and cost-effective solutions to social problems, and we?re delighted to learn three-quarters of MLAs believe the Northern Ireland Executive would consider funding programmes that have been seed funded by philanthropic donations, as long as they have a clear demonstrable value to communities.?

For more information: Helen McKeever, Fund Development Manager, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland 028 90 245 927 or hmckeever@communityfoundationni.org

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Source: http://www.agendani.com/assembly-ministers-back-growth-of-philanthropy-in-northern-ireland

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