Member Article

Sheffield charity appoints panel of local advisers

One of the city’s leading charities, South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF), has invited Suzy Harris-Milnes, senior manager for tax at Grant Thornton in Sheffield, to establish and chair a panel of professional advisers to support its work with local philanthropists.

The professional adviser committee will report to the trustees, providing guidance on communication and networking opportunities with private client advisers within South Yorkshire to promote philanthropy advice and the philanthropy services available through community foundations.

The committee will comprise six professionals from Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster including a banker, a lawyer, an investment adviser and an accountant. Led by Suzy Harris-Milnes, it will advise on SYCF’s promotional material for professional advisers as well as initiating information and networking events with the aim of ensuring that all private client advisers in the region are aware of the work of community foundations and have the resources available to proactively advise clients about philanthropy options.

“This is a brand new initiative and we believe that the committee could have a huge impact on our work, helping us to ensure that professional advisers throughout South Yorkshire are aware of the new charitable funds available for community benefit,” commented Pauline Grice, Chief Executive of SYCF. “We really appreciate Suzy and the other professional advisers giving up their valuable time to share their expertise in this way. We particularly welcome the support of this new panel as we work on the Sheffield Gives campaign, which is encouraging greater philanthropy and recognition of giving locally as well as Payroll Giving through local employers.”

Suzy Harris-Milnes comments: “Grant Thornton has an on going relationship with SYCF. We’re glad to be able to extend our support by leading this advisory panel – it’s an honour to be involved and the committee are confident that we can make a valuable contribution. Our aim is to increase awareness among professional advisers of the phenomenal benefits of donating to community foundations; by using gift aid and match funding opportunities, donations can go much further and have greater impact on the lives of local people.”

The South Yorkshire Community Foundation raises funds from businesses, philanthropists, trusts and statutory bodies and uses these funds to meet the needs of local people facing economic hardship and other barriers to aspiration, so improving lives in local communities.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Grant Thornton .