Having delivered Generosity Festival, the world’s first festival of philanthropy and giving in 2018, the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland is continuing the conversation about philanthropy’s role in addressing issues affecting communities. From 5-7 November 2019, a series of events under the #PoweredByPhilanthropy banner, will turn the spotlight on diversity, equality and inclusion.
Rob Williamson, the Community Foundation’s Chief Executive, explains why this topic is the focus for 2019: “The Community Foundation supports grassroots groups helping people from diverse backgrounds. We can see the part philanthropy has played in supporting greater equality for communities, but we also know there is much more to do, if we and others in philanthropy are to serve our communities better by tackling racism, sexism, homophobia, disability discrimination and other inequalities.
“So, through the #PoweredByPhilanthropy 2019 events, we want to celebrate and debate diversity, equality and inclusion and pave the way for our next Vital Signs report, which aims to uncover how philanthropy can better address diversity and inclusion.”
#PoweredByPhilanthropy 2019 kick offs on 5 November at Gosforth Civic Theatre with an event celebrating diverse groups supported by the Foundation. Debra Allcock-Tyler, Chief Executive of the Directory of Social Change, will give a keynote. That will be followed by an evening celebrating diverse arts and culture.
On 6 November, events in Sunderland and Newcastle will look at how philanthropy has supported the development of greater equality and inclusion for marginalised groups. Professor Charles Harvey of Newcastle University will explore philanthropy’s history of supporting diverse communities in north east England with Rhodri Davies, of the Charities Aid Foundation giving the national and international picture. Joining them to bring the story up to the present day will be Liz Alleston, Director of Fundraising at the LGBT charity, Stonewall.
The day ends with the ‘Great Philanthropy Debate’ where a Question Time-style panel will discuss whether or not philanthropy has a diversity problem resulting from being too male, white and wealthy.
The festival closes on 7 November with an event in Gateshead to encourage those from diverse backgrounds to sign up to the boards of local charities.
For the full programme and to book your free places please visit www.communityfoundation.org.uk/poweredbyphilanthropy2019 Join the debate on twitter using the hashtag #PoweredbyPhilanthropy and follow @CFTyneWearNland