# Philanthropist supports role of advisors in advancing philanthropy

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/10/28/philanthropist-supports-role-advisors/
- Published: 2011-10-28T15:21:47+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Philanthropist Stephanie Shirley, known as ‘Steve’, has told a gathering of professional
advisors in Dublin that they should introduce the topic of philanthropy to wealthy
people seeking their advice.

Shirley is a successful entrepreneur-turned-philanthropist who was named as the 
UK’s first Ambassador for Philanthropy by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in early 2009.
Her charitable Shirley Foundation is one of the top 50 grant-giving foundations 
in the UK, having given away more than £50 million since it opened in 1997.

The Dublin event was hosted by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
for professional advisors. It was run in conjunction with The Irish Tax Institute
and The Community Foundation for Ireland.

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The 50 people in attendance heard Shirley explain her rationale for giving and how
advisors have helped her. Her key point was that professional advisors should introduce
the topic of philanthropy.

Advisors advise and ultimately clients make up their own mind, she told the audience.

Tina Roche, Chief Executive of The Community Foundation, introduced Irish case studies
of Irish donors and talked about their ‘lightbulb moments’. Ms Roche also welcomed
Martin Phelan of The Tax Institute’s contribution in which he outlined the plans
under consideration by The Tax Institute to incorporate philanthropy into the syllabus
for tax students.

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