05 November 2010
The Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust announced the results of The Beacon Prize 2010, the country’s foremost philanthropy awards. The nine winners join the ranks of previous Beacon winners such as Sir Bob Geldof, Jamie Oliver and environmentalist, Zac Goldsmith – who have all been recognised for their charitable work.
Beacon Ambassador 2010: Geordie Greig
Geordie, editor of the London Evening Standard, is applauded for his inspirational work in setting up the Dispossessed Fund, a fundraising campaign that to date has raised £1.7 million pounds for poverty stricken Londoners which will then be matched by Government to form an endowed fund which will continue giving for years to come. A million pounds in grants has also been distributed through the campaign made available by the Grassroots Grants Programme bringing the fund total to £4.5 million.
CFN-Beacon Special Award for Services to UK Community Philanthropy - William S White of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
In presenting this award for the first time, CFN honours William S White, Chairman, President and CEO of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, a private philanthropy organisation based in Flint, Michigan, USA, committed to supporting projects that promote a just, equitable and sustainable society.
The award marks Mr White’s personal commitment to philanthropy, his visionary and strategic approach through the foundation’s investment in and development of philanthropy infrastructure, particularly in the UK. The award also acknowledges both the Mott Foundation’s 20 years of sustained financial support to CFN, as well as the creative and imaginative approach to leveraging new money into communities which Bill has inspired through his support of the first community endowment challenge programme of the 1990s. Over the years, Mott Foundation funding into the movement has been close to £4m.
Mr White joined the Mott Foundation in 1969, became its President in 1976, and assumed the role of Chairman in 1988.
Community Builder: Mr and Mrs Keith and Mary Woodworth
In 2001, the Woodworths set up FOMO (Friends of Mulanje Orphans), a community based orphan care programme supporting over 5000 children through a network of 13 centres in the Mulanje district of Malawi. Nomination describes the range of activities supported and the impact.
Leadership: Dr James Partridge
Dr Partridge set up Changing Faces in 1992 to raise awareness of the social and emotional consequences of disfigurement and it is now a major - and effective - charity. In particular he worked to ensure people with disfigurements are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act.
New Initiatives: Mr and Mrs Angus and Michie Macdonald
Angus & Michie used their self made wealth to set up the Moidart Trust to tackle the ongoing decline of communities in the West of Scotland by focusing on support for local enterprises. The judges were impressed by their strategic theory of change: ‘invest in small yet ambitious local businesses, the wealth and job creation will follow and community as they once know it will regenerate’. As well as grant support to aspiring enterprises, they bring local people together to share learning and expertise. They have invested £1m so far, and their case studies demonstrate that charitable funding can be used to support business, leads to job creation and that local entrepreneurs can be found. Angus is also a founder of Caledonian Challenge which has raised £9m + since its inception in 1996 for Scottish communities and charities.
Young Philanthropist: Robert Wilson
Robert Wilson’s inspirational vision, entrepreneurial spirit, and excellent leadership has led to better access to education for over 260,000 school children in Tanzania, enabling 3,640 Tanzanian teachers to teach and empower young global citizens around the world. As Founding Director of READ International, Robert has successfully led the organisation from his Dad’s kitchen table to what it is today, winning awards such as ‘Best New Charity’ in the Charity Times Awards 2007 and personally winning Enterprising Young Brit 2010 in the Ethical, Social and Environmental category, amongst others.
Effective Giving: Mr Alec Reed CBE
Involved with philanthropy throughout his working life, Alec devotes much time to developing innovative ways of supporting charities. Projects include the Big Give (a search engine for philanthropists); Challenge Funds (match funding scheme for online donations); development charities such as EthopiaAid, as well as the Reed Foundation itself, founded in 1986 from the sale of the drug company Medicare.
Philanthropy Advocate: Mrs Jane Tewson CBE
Co-founder of Comic Relief (1985); Pilotlight (1995); Timebank (200) and Pilotlight Australia (2001) of which she is currently director. Made a CBE in 2000. Other initiatives include Virgin Unite (the philanthropic arm of Virgin); publishing Dying to Know – bringing death to life (a book about palliative care).
Family Business Philanthropist: John and Alex Timpson
The board of judges were impressed by the clear and involved strategy for philanthropy in place in the Timpson family business. They were particularly struck by the fact that 20% of the company’s profits are donated to charity every year.
Judges Special Prize for Exceptional Philanthropic Activity: Dr Benita Refson OBE
Benita is the founder of the Place to Be, which works to provide emotional and therapeutic support to primary school children in an attempt to avoid problems later in life, offering individual counselling and other services for children, parents and school staff. Work is well evaluated, and there is a structured programme for volunteers. Benita acts as Chief Executive in a voluntary capacity.
Judges Special Prize for Exceptional Philanthropic Activity: Clive Stafford Smith OBE
A powerful nomination comes from the organisation he is associated with, Reprieve, detailing his work on behalf of prisoners facing the death penalty or imprisoned illegally.