Annual Philanthropy Reception

Philanthropists and guests gathered at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay for the Community Foundation in Wales’ Annual Philanthropy Reception, an event supported by financial advisers Rathbones (pictured), to celebrate the work of The Foundation and its partners over the past year.

The drinks reception held in Cardiff Bay was hosted by the presiding officer of the Welsh Assembly Government the Rt. Hon Lord Elis-Thomas AM who spoke of how in these difficult financial times, organisations like the Community Foundation in Wales are most important in supporting communities at a local level.

Dame Stephanie Shirley, the UK Ambassador for Philanthropy told how her life became much richer as a consequence of investing her wealth in people who needed it most to improve their lives.

“I put as much effort into learning to give money away wisely – and take just as much satisfaction – as I got from earning it in the first place. My wealth has transmuted from figures on a sheet of paper to something meaningful. Once classed as the seventh wealthiest women in Britain (the arithmetic was doubtless wrong), I’m proud to have given away enough to take me out of the rich list... giving has made my wealth significant.”

The aim of the Community Foundation in Wales is to strengthen and enrich communities across Wales by inspiring and managing philanthropy. The past year has been the most successful year to date for the Foundation with over £1.6 million distributed to charities and community projects across Wales.

A further feature of the stunning evening was the launch of The Cardiff Community Endowment Fund A new development for the coming year is the Cardiff Community Endowment Fund, launched at the Senedd. This new Fund for Cardiff has been created through the transfer of charitable trusts, which were formerly under Cardiff Council’s stewardship. This new Fund will benefit disadvantaged communities and people of Cardiff. Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council and Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Councillor Judith Woodman expressed her delight on working with the Foundation.

“Cardiff Council recognises the significant value of the Community Foundation in Wales’ work in the capital. In the last year alone, the Foundation has distributed over £100,000 in grants to charities and community groups in Cardiff. I am proud of all of those who have been involved in helping to establish the Cardiff Community Endowment Fund and I would urge anyone who would like to support local communities in Cardiff to get in touch with the Community Foundation in Wales.”

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