Updates- Events

Events Round Up

Philanthropy In Our Time Lecture

Launch Event for the Philanthropy Fellowship North West
The Philanthropy Fellowship North West. Launched at the Community Foundation’s “Philanthropy in our Time” Lecture this week, the Fellowship will encourage and endorse philanthropy in the North West. The informative lecture, held in Preston’s prestigious County Hall, heard Baroness Prashar CBE talk on “Philanthropy in our Time,” including a look at the region’s rich philanthropic past.

Attendees also had the chance to share their views on philanthropy with a question and answer session with local philanthropists and experts on the subject which explored current issues and ideas around how we can all make a difference in our local communities.

The Philanthropy Fellowship North West is a new network of community philanthropists for our region, facilitated by the Community Foundations for Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire, and linked to a wider UK network of community philanthropists. Its vision is to bring together and support people and organisations who are passionate about their communities and enable them to become lifelong philanthropists. The Community Foundations will facilitate a range of tailored activities and opportunities for those philanthropists to meet, share, learn and become inspired.

Baroness Prashar said “I am delighted to have been able to share my knowledge with a wide ranging audience, all of whom are eager to make positive changes in their local communities. The Philanthropy Fellowship North West is a perfect opportunity to help make these goals a reality, ensuring the legacy of the region’s philanthropic past for future generations.”

Drinks Reception at Towneley Hall
 

Sponsored by Euravia Engineering and Dennis Mendoros
Community Foundation embarks on encouraging philanthropy in 2012

On Wednesday 25th January the Community Foundation for Lancashire held its first philanthropy event of 2012 at Burnley’s Towneley Hall.

The event was a chance for the Community Foundation to thank its donors, highlight its current achievements in the local community and set out its plans for the coming year.
The host for the evening was Dennis Mendoros, Managing Director of East Lancashire engineering firm Euravia and former High Sheriff of Lancashire. Mr Mendoros is also the chairman of the Community Foundation’s Development Advisory Group and was keen to share his experience of the Community Foundation’s work, especially to highlight the need to encourage philanthropy in Lancashire to support local communities.

Guests included the current High Sheriff of Lancashire and The Worshipful the Mayor of Burnley Cllr David Neil Heginbotham, and they were able to see first hand the effectiveness of the Community Foundation’s grant-making when they saw films of a selection of projects who have received funding over the last year. This included a film of The Friends of Greenfield Nature Reserve, the Community Foundations’ Project of the Year for 2011; the group work to maintain and improve the reserve in Colne whilst encouraging members of the public to learnt about environmental issues.

Spirit of Lancashire Awards 2011

Community Foundation for Lancashire hosted the first Spirit of Lancashire Awards which took place on 2nd November 2011 at the DeVere Village Herons' Reach Hotel in Blackpool where some of the region’s most inspirational community champions were recognised for their efforts.

The Friends of Greenfield Nature Reserve in Colne, who look after and fundraise for the reserve, was named Project of the Year. For more information click here
Kevin Horkin was named as Lancashire’s Community Philanthropist of the Year.

The event was set up recognise the hard work and dedication of the community and voluntary sector in Lancashire, as well as the local businesses and philanthropists that have supported them through the Community Foundation for Lancashire.

A mixture of voluntary and community groups, local businesses, high profile individuals, local celebrities and representatives from the public sector attended the ceremony.

Other award winners recognised during the evening’s proceedings included:

• Cultural Champion Award - Lancaster & Morecambe Hindu Society
• Grassroots Award - Friends of Greenfield Local Nature Reserve in Colne
• Health & Wellbeing Award - Blackpool Carers Centre
• Children & Young People’s Award – Skelmersdale Action for Youth

President of the Community Foundation for Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth said: “The evening was a wonderful celebration of some of the region’s most inspirational people – true local heroes."



Downing Street reception marks Lancashire's Philanthropy success

The Chancellor of the Exchequer hosted a VIP Reception at 11 Downing Street sponsored by Investec Wealth and Investment Limited on 11th May 2011 for the Community Foundation of Lancashire to mark the securing of £1.3m in charitable endowment funds. Celebrities including Cilla Black and Coronation Street’s William Roache joined over 90 business leaders and other dignitaries at the Chancellor’s home. Guests were shown a film giving them an insight into Lancashire and the work of the Community Foundation before being addressed by its president Lord Shuttleworth, the Chancellor and Nigel Evans MP. 

The Community Foundation is now working towards raising £100,000 for its new Women’s Fund in addition to further general funds which will be dedicated to providing desperately needed services and support to benefit communities in Lancashire.