The Beacon Collaborative

Last year, Beacon set up a peer-to-peer community called Beacons Connect as a space for the philanthropy community to connect and to share experiences and ideas. With 167 members contributing to lively discussions ranging from Robin Hood to Gratitude, AI to EDI, community engagement to global giving, Beacons Connect showed us that philanthropy is as rich and varied as those who give. By celebrating diversity, not shying away from the ethical challenges of giving, and by sharing experiences, we forged a space where individuals who practise in the field of philanthropy could grow. But all good things come to an end. The Guild platform that we used to host Beacons Connect is closing. To the extent possible, we will continue the conversation here on LinkedIn. For individual donors and social investors, we would like to encourage you to join the Enriched community hosted by I.G. Advisors. Enriched emerged from Beacons Connect and is growing under I.G. Advisors’ community leadership to provide a supportive space for philanthropists and social investors to learn from others, expand horizons, and work together towards shared impact goals. Thank you Emily and team for taking forward this pioneering work! If you are a donor or social investor, you can find the Enriched community here: https://lnkd.in/e6G4GEjB And thank you to all those who built the foundations for Beacons Connect especially Sarah Hughes, Michelle Goodall, Vanessa McGreevy and Emily Collins-Ellis.

“We want a new partnership with investors, businesses and charities. All the best examples of things that are built to last are when they have been built together,” says Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Department for Culture, Media and Sport in the foreword to the latest market sizing report from the Impact Investing Institute.   It is great to see charities and philanthropy referenced in the report.   As Lisa Nandy’s quote suggests, we cannot achieve the full potential for positive, sustainable change in our communities and the wider world without the effective deployment of capital across the full spectrum of capital.   Responsible business, ESG, impact investing, social investing and philanthropy all play different and important roles in driving positive change for people and planet. The more these different approaches are understood and supported to thrive, the better able we will be to build a sustainable future together.   This is the Impact Investing Institute's second report on the UK’s impact investment market showing £77 billion in total and a striking 10% annual growth rate.   The report is available at: https://lnkd.in/eT8Uy8eA

At the start of the summer, we announced that Beacon would like input from peers, friends and colleagues to guide its strategy review and future plans. We are ready to hear from you! There is a link below to our open consultation. This is an informal consultation, and we would welcome perspectives from anyone who has an interest in growing philanthropy in the UK. There are six questions which should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. All the responses are anonymous. We greatly appreciate your support in helping us to develop our capabilities to support the sector’s needs. Thank you for your time and for sharing your thoughts with us. We are excited to learn what you have to say! https://lnkd.in/e86HtWqR #philanthropy #philanthropists #thirdsector #charities #charity #donors

We welcome Dr Beth Breeze OBE’s article in Alliance magazine, which acknowledges how, with more experience in the philanthropy sector, Rutger Bregman’s thoughts have changed. Over the last five years, we have done in depth research into the philanthropy ecosystem and seen that once philanthropists have started on their donor journeys, and recognise the impact they can personally make, they are inspired to continue, and often increase, their giving. In his post, Rutger Bregman advocates that giving 10% of one’s wealth should become the cultural norm – and even if you start at 1%, you’ll soon discover the difference you can make. And to quote, “it’s going to change your life”. Advocacy like this will encourage others to start their donor journeys. #philanthropy #philanthropists #donors #giving #charity

Great to see such thoughtful consideration for how philanthropy, impact investment and responsible business can work together to tackle the challenges we see in our communities and in the wider world. An Office for the #ImpactEconomy at the heart of the next government could overcome the structural barriers that are holding back greater giving and impact investment. There are powerful partnerships already underway in the #ImpactEconomy and that are driving change on social and place-based challenges. The next government has a huge opportunity to harness this innovation, talent and expertise. https://lnkd.in/ewiEdsBy

Great to see such thoughtful consideration for how philanthropy, impact investment and responsible business can work together to tackle the challenges we see in our communities and in the wider world. An Office for the #ImpactEconomy at the heart of the next government could overcome the structural barriers that are holding back greater giving and impact investment. There are powerful partnerships already underway in the #ImpactEconomy and that are driving change on social and place-based challenges. The next government has a huge opportunity to harness this innovation, talent and expertise. https://lnkd.in/ewiEdsBy

"It's funny because, to me sometimes, community can be a bit of a buzzword. But at every stage that is who we've considered." Three years ago rapper Stormzy dreamed of opening a space for young people in the area in which he grew up — to give them opportunities they would not have otherwise had. Now his vision has been realised. This month, in partnership with Adidas, he opened #MerkyFC HQ - a state-of-the-art facility with a full-size football pitch, recording studio and gaming centre in Croydon, south London - minutes from where he grew up. "I still can't believe we've done it, created an entire space that encompasses everything that's been part of my journey. Music, football, youth culture, community and gaming," he told the BBC. This is such a brilliant example of place-based philanthropy: when a wealth holder gives back to their community. By working in partnership with business, Stormzy has been able to give young people in Croydon something they need via a project born from his passion, knowledge and connection to his local area. https://lnkd.in/e_7553QX #placedbasedphilanthropy #givingback #impact

"It's funny because, to me sometimes, community can be a bit of a buzzword. But at every stage that is who we've considered." Three years ago rapper Stormzy dreamed of opening a space for young people in the area in which he grew up — to give them opportunities they would not have otherwise had. Now his vision has been realised. This month, in partnership with Adidas, he opened #MerkyFC HQ - a state-of-the-art facility with a full-size football pitch, recording studio and gaming centre in Croydon, south London - minutes from where he grew up. "I still can't believe we've done it, created an entire space that encompasses everything that's been part of my journey. Music, football, youth culture, community and gaming," he told the BBC. This is such a brilliant example of place-based philanthropy: when a wealth holder gives back to their community. By working in partnership with business, Stormzy has been able to give young people in Croydon something they need via a project born from his passion, knowledge and connection to his local area. https://lnkd.in/e_7553QX #placedbasedphilanthropy #givingback #impact

In the King's Birthday Honours list there were 1,077 Honours, including 13 for philanthropy. This is the highest number in recent years (1.2%). Wonderful to see the great work of philanthropists across the UK recognised in this way 👍. https://lnkd.in/ege55T25

NPC (New Philanthropy Capital) has released the Partners for Change report, which was funded by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). It's an insightful strategy proposal for the next government to consider as it's packed out with information about what the government could do to move philanthropy in the UK forward. There are: 🎯 Eight recommendations for putting the partnership between government and charities on a strong footing 🎯 Nine recommendations in priority policy areas where civil society and government can work together to make change 🎯 Nine recommendations about how charities and funders can work together. Includes topics about in-house giving strategies, how impact and data can be used, ways the inequalities that society is addressing could be addressed, how giving can be used to respond to the climate crisis, how giving can guide the government's response to criminal justice, and how children and young people should have a seat at the table. Let's continue to work together to make change happen. #makingchange #philanthropy #givingstrategies https://lnkd.in/ewu7yTHS