Nominations for The Beacon Awards are now open
The Beacon Awards celebrate the work of individuals who have set the standards of best practice in philanthropy.
Northern Ireland’s home for local Philanthropy – The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland – is hoping to nominate some of the inspiring individuals it has had the pleasure of working with and is encouraging others to do the same.
This year the awards seek to find outstanding individuals whose work in the field of philanthropy is making a sustainable difference, along with those who have had a significant impact on a cause, or a philanthropist who will inspire or encourage future philanthropists to give.
Described as the “Nobel prizes for philanthropy”, the Awards are sponsored by J.P. Morgan Private Bank with additional support from the City of London Corporation and the Pears Foundation.
Philanthropists from Northern Ireland can be nominated in a number of categories, with awards ranging from Cultural Philanthropy, Impact Investment, and Place Based Philanthropy to Pioneering Philanthropy and Philanthropy Advocacy.
Avila Kilmurray, Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland said: “Too few people understand what significant contribution philanthropists do and could make to Northern Ireland and we are pleased to be involved in the Beacon Awards to try and remedy this situation.
“We hope that many people will be nominated for an Award so that others will learn from the great work being done here.”
These awards are part of a wider movement across the UK and Ireland to try and encourage and support more giving, a movement the Community Foundation Network is at the forefront of.
Helen McKeever, Fund Development Manager at the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, oversees philanthropy services at the Foundation and believes there is a real need to recognize the impact philanthropists can have in Northern Ireland.
Ms McKeever said: “With more and more public service cuts and less money coming into Northern Ireland from the EU, philanthropic giving and donations from the public are becoming increasingly important to charities, foundations and voluntary organisations.
“It is not just millionaires who can make the difference, anybody who wants to use their money to make a difference to other people’s lives can start on the journey to being a philanthropist”.
Adding: “We have recently launched our Women’s Fund for Northern Ireland, which allows people to become philanthropists with small financial contributions to a monthly giving circle, or by becoming an ambassador and donating time, contacts or knowledge.
“All of these donations, whether they are big or small will make a difference to the lives of the women who receive funding through the Women’s Fund, showing the real impact of philanthropy.
“At the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland we believe everyone has the potential to be a philanthropist and we work with individuals and families, whatever their level of giving, to direct their gift to causes they care about, in the most tax efficient way".
For more information on the Beacon Awards, click here.
If you know someone you would like to nominate, or would like information on how to become a philanthropist yourself, please contact Helen McKeever.
