Scotland's Economy

Inspiring Scotland marks successful 5 years

June 13, 2014 by John Swinney MSP No Comments | Category Third Sector

Last night it gave me the great pleasure to host an event at Edinburgh Castle to mark the success of one of Scotland’s most innovative and groundbreaking charitable organisations – Inspiring Scotland.

(L-R) Viv Sawyers, Street League, (charity supported by Inspiring Scotland); William Edgar, young person to benefit from Inspiring Scotland investment; Celia Tennant, Inspiring Scotland Chief Executive; John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth; Niall Lothian, Inspiring Scotland Chairman

I was impressed to hear from Inspiring Scotland their unique, yet different effective operational model of raising funding from across sectors and deploying it in selected portfolio of charitable ventures.

The fact that Inspiring Scotland is just five years old, and its first fund is halfway through its ten-year period is a fascinating story. Over the first five years, the 14:19 fund has invested more than £30 million in charities with matched funding of £27.5 million. This money has helped change the lives of 60,000 Scots.

We all know the stories of wealthy philanthropists. Microsoft’s Bill Gates and the Giving Pledge, where the world’s richest people commit to giving most of their wealth away, is a groundbreaking step.

Scotland’s wealthy have always given something back; we have always been a compassionate nation. We have all heard about Andrew Carnegie. His story is echoed in the modern day examples of individuals like Sir Tom Hunter and Sir Iain Wood.

Inspiring Scotland is one example of a charity that makes sure the money and time given by philanthropists is used for real and lasting change. We all know that Scotland’s charities do great work, and I am delighted we have organisations like Inspiring Scotland to back them.

Social issues can be tackled using money and skills to provide a better measurable impact. Using market mechanisms and private-sector principles to improve efficiency and drive innovation in areas with a strong ethical dimension should be the norm.

Philanthropy and corporate social investment can make a substantial difference to charities, but it is not just financial help that  individuals and companies can offer. Time, skills and expertise are just as important and everyone has something to offer.

Tags: charitible organisations

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