Mike Ogelsby on why he is a philanthropist and how he chooses what to do with his money
I have yet to meet anyone who wakes up one morning and decides they are going to become a philanthropist. In fact, in most cases, it is someone else who gives you the title and you are surprised when it is applied to you. Philanthropy grows out of – and is a way to express – personal values. For many people, it starts with giving time, knowledge and experience. In many ways this is more valuable than the financial donations that may follow. As you become more involved, you arrive at a point where giving is the right thing to do and you do not need to be asked. In so doing you can encourage others to become involved, particularly where your money is first in and you create leverage.
People ask: “why the arts”, and “why now?” After all, there are many other worthy causes. They all compete and it is essential that one has a system of budgets and allocations for individual areas. A case for the arts has always been very clear to me: life without them would be sterile and incomplete – the arts expand ambition and improve diversity and equality. No-one can disguise the fact that the cuts will have a major impact but we have lived above our means for too long and have no alternative but to draw back across the board.
There will be some casualties but, without doubt, real quality will continue and survive. Everyone involved must be more commercial, particularly with attitudes towards funding. Some organisations are going to have to invest more in their fundraising departments if they are going to fill the gaps. This must be a core task in any organisation. Although this will be tough for some smaller, regionally based groups, they need to take a leaf out of the larger organisations’ strategies, by convincing their communities of their importance.
The Government should take a much more radical view on the tax concessions available for charitable giving. America is clearly the model and we need to embrace its culture and system of tax concessions if we are to move towards bridging this gap.
However, I am much more encouraged about where we are heading than many. It takes time for changes in attitude to transfer into cash, but these changes are taking place. Twenty years ago ‘philanthropy’ was rarely heard of, but today it is constantly discussed and anyone who seriously thinks about their lifestyle and values considers it to be an essential part of their life rather than a casual activity.
Mike Oglesby is the Chairman of Bruntwood, a commercial property owner, and Co-founder of the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting. Bruntwood donates 10% of its profits to arts, charitable and environmental causes, of which 50% goes to arts and cultural institutions. The company is also a major sponsor of the Manchester International Festival and has sponsored productions at the Royal Northern College of Music; the West Yorkshire Playhouse; the Everyman Theatre and the Rep Theatre, as well as exhibitions at Tate Liverpool and Manchester Art Gallery.