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JANE SANDILANDS histories |
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The reasons a trust commissions a history can vary, but in these short histories, the two major aims are: to increase the knowledge of the life and times of the donor and to encourage philanthropy in others. The motivation for the philanthropy of a particular person can often be traced to family or other influences, and these provide a rich backdrop for society in general and for bodies and organisations receiving grants. After the publication of the history of the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, many people wrote to the trustees, delighted that they knew more of the “woman behind the plaque”.
What can be achieved
Sometimes a commissioned history can result in a quantifiable increase in philanthropy. In 1942, the Dafydd Lewis Trust came into existence. Lewis, a Welsh draper, who had left school aged 12, bequeathed funds for boys from poor families attending Victorian State high schools to have a university education. Because of a stringent income test, scholarships were often for single parent families. Lewis also expressed the hope that, in later life, if those ‘boys’ could afford it, they too would help others. When the history was published in 1999 and distributed to almost 800 Dafydd Lewis scholarship holders, the alumni became more active. Since then, increased donations of time, expertise and bequests have been of great benefit to the Trust.
Passing on the culture
In larger organisations, histories can inform staff and board members, passing on the ‘culture’ of the foundation. And histories can be useful and informative to those applying for and receiving grants. Many foundations pass on a copy of the history when giving grants, or send relevant extracts to ensure the accuracy of details when grants are reported in the newsletters of organisations or in other media. Some histories also showcase the work of the foundation and its areas of giving
For future generations
Family trusts commission a history to give an insight to younger family members into the values of the original donor and to allow them to grow into the philanthropic culture of the family, often to take their place on the board and help make decisions.
How we work
To successfully write a history, there needs to be a blend of investigation, research, interviewing and sensitivity, as well as understanding the nature of the work of the trust or foundation. Philanthropy has often been a very private undertaking. Commissioning a history puts it into the public domain. A history has the potential to become a celebration of philanthropy, encouraging others along that path.
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