Mark Cassidy, national manager of philanthropy for Guardian Trust, talks about a new centre for philanthropy.
KEY POINTS:
What is the Guardian Trust Centre for Philanthropy?
It's good to give, so we have created this centre to help people do so knowledgeably and sustainably. The centre is a platform for private philanthropists to choose the best way to structure and target their giving, by understanding the options available. It will operate within Guardian Trust, and formalise the work we do in this sector by giving existing and would-be philanthropists access to our knowledge base.
Are New Zealanders good philanthropists compared with other countries?
There is a great deal of giving going. The philanthropic sector is bigger than many realise - about $115 million was given by voluntary trusts for the benefit of Kiwis last year. However, there is less understanding of the activity of philanthropy here than in the US for example, which has a history of prominent philanthropists in the form of industrialists, such as Henry Ford. The Ford Foundation has assets of US$9.3 billion ($11.64b) and gives US$550 million ($688m) each year to support health, education, the environment and other causes. Philanthropists here tend to prefer a more "under-the-radar" approach, but the Centre for Philanthropy will strengthen this sector by communicating that charitable donations need not be one-offs - they can use that money to support a particular cause in perpetuity, with prudent trust management.
Why has the Centre for Philanthropy been established by Guardian Trust now?
It's timely in light of changes to the Charities Commission and new tax legislation for charities being introduced this year. While the commission has set up a governance and accountability framework for charitable enterprise, the real consequence has been to put a spotlight on the concept of giving and promoting generosity. We intend the centre to help charitable trusts meet the new rules, and to advance philanthropy.
Why create a trust with the centre, rather than simply donating to your preferred cause?
We want people to think of philanthropy as a sustainable form of prudent social investment. The centre ensures that when a philanthropic trust is established, the funds are well-managed and the terms of their use are governed by a trust deed. It is different from a charitable donation or gift because it is strategic and sustainable, and the support of a charity or cause can continue for years. For more details about the centre, phone 0800 878 782.
