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8th September 2009: Teach philanthropy in schools, says Community Foundation Network
By Mathew Little, Third Sector Online, 8 September 2009
The Community Foundation Network, which represents charities that support local communities, has called for philanthropy to be taught in schools.
The Manifesto for Community Philanthropists, published this week to influence political thinking in the run-up to the general election, says schools should help students hone their philanthropic instincts with "real money and real beneficiaries".
It argues that the Government could follow the model of ‘youth banks' - grant-making trusts led by young people - as well as introducing ‘child gift funds' for all children above a certain age. The manifesto also advocates the establishment of a £30m ‘philanthropy infrastructure investment fund', which would support third sector IT projects to generate more giving, as well as the creation of ‘special giving zones', where donors would be given favourable tax treatment in areas of greatest need.
Matthew Bowcock, chair of the Community Foundation, said: "These recommendations include major reforms to the banking, taxation and education systems to release more funds today and promote a culture of giving in the future."
The manifesto will be launched on Thursday at the Community Foundation's biennial conference. The conference is due to be addressed by third sector minister Angela Smith and Dame Stephanie Shirley, the Government's ambassador for philanthropy.
