Advancing a national philanthropy strategy for Scotland
Experts discuss vision for giving and public engagement
Scotland’s philanthropy sector leaders met in Edinburgh on 13 March for the second workshop in the Together for Good: Crafting Scotland’s Philanthropic Journey series. Held at the Library of Mistakes, the event featured Éilis Murray, CEO of Philanthropy Ireland, who shared insights from Ireland’s journey towards a national philanthropy policy.
Participants explored insights offered by The Beacon Collaborative’s Draft for a National Strategy for Philanthropy and Charitable Giving and by the Centre for Social Justice’s report Supercharging Philanthropy, and discussed how Scotland can strengthen its culture of philanthropy. The session focused on the objectives and envisaged outcomes of a national conversation on philanthropy, and considered practicalities to ensure that it would be inclusive and effective.
Professor Tobias Jung, Director of the Centre for the Study of Philanthropy & Public Good, who is leading the workshop series said:
“Scotland has a strong philanthropic tradition. For it to thrive, we need to raise awareness of philanthropy’s role and contributions to Scotland, and encourage broader, more strategic, and better informed engagement with it.
Lessons from Andrew Carnegie’s legacy remind us that philanthropy must be about more than wealth – it must make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the public good. This discussion is a step towards ensuring philanthropy in Scotland is reflective, relevant, and rigorous.”
The Together for Good series is part of the University of St Andrews’ Scotland’s Future Series, which brings together experts from different sectors to explore significant societal challenges. The philanthropy series aims to:
- Assess the current state of philanthropy in Scotland, identifying strengths, challenges and opportunities and exploring innovative approaches to giving.
- Develop collaborative and sustainable structures, connecting key public, private and third sector stakeholders to share insights and shape long-term strategies.
- Work towards a shared vision for philanthropy policy in Scotland, gathering expertise to create a more supportive and informed environment for giving.
The series continues to gain momentum, with future workshops planned to build on these discussions and drive action towards a stronger philanthropic framework for Scotland.