Dame Stephanie Shirley, appointed as the UK government's ambassador for philanthropy in April this year, has launched a website that aims to ‘give philanthropists a voice’.
 
The site, called 'Ambassador(s) for Philanthropy', featuring videos of philanthropists talking about their giving, is seed-funded by Dame Stephanie but in future she aims to make the website self-sustaining through partnerships such as the current one with Coutts and by establishing a ‘fellowship’ of philanthropists. The Philanthropist Fellowship will be an invite-only, paid-for membership-based body that brings philanthropists throughout the UK together on a regular basis to develop their skills so that ‘they can give with greater impact.’

The website currently features videos from James Caan, star of BBC’s Dragons Den, Matthew Bowcock, chair of the Community Foundation Network, and his wife Helen, and Frederick Mulder, chair of The Funding Network (TFN).

Roberta d’Eustachio, chief of staff to the ambassador for philanthropy and founding executive producer of the 'Ambassador(s) for Philanthropy' website, said, “When we met individual philanthropists, it became clear that many were saying similar things, but saying them on their own. The site is about getting their stories out, helping philanthropists talk about how and why they give. It’s not about the money. It is about vision and strategic giving.”

For more information, visit the Ambassador(s) for Philanthropy website.