Norwood hosts Women in Philanthropy reception

Eighty female Norwood supporters attended the charity’s inaugural Women in Philanthropy reception at the Alon Zakaim Fine Art Gallery in London on Thursday night.

The evening featured a panel of female philanthropists made up of Dame Gail Ronson DBE, Nicole Ronson Allalouf, leading fundraising consultant Nicky Jones and moderated by journalist Suzanne Baum.

Norwood’s Honorary Life President Carol Sopher said it was “truly encouraging” to hold “such a timely event in the development of the female-led philanthropic movement”.

Dame Gail Ronson, who started her volunteering work with Norwood, spoke of her philanthropic work over the past 40 years, culminating in current roles that include Trustee and Ambassador of the Royal Opera House. She also talked about The Gerald and Gail Ronson Family Foundation, which has contributed donations of more than £25 million to good causes both at home and abroad since its foundation.

Continuing the theme, Nicole Ronson Allalouf, who is a Trustee and administers the day-to-day philanthropy for the family foundation, spoke of the importance of making philanthropy a family affair. Referencing observing Trustee meetings as a child in her family home, she recalled how her parents had instilled the importance of learning by example and engaging in a cause, adding: “We need to invest in future generations of philanthropists to make giving sustainable.”

The panellists shared their views on how to engage future generations and Nicky Jones advised on the importance of the “need to engage young people with the causes behind the charities they are giving to, to establish meaningful philanthropy”.

Norwood’s Chief Executive Naomi Dickson said of the panel: “I was struck and inspired not only by their commitment to charitable giving, but also to proactive ‘doing’. Getting involved with causes, volunteering, shopping, getting to know people and understanding what’s happening on the ground – in doing so, they illustrate the essence of philanthropy, which is giving of oneself!”