At the start of this year we launched Spear’s 1 per cent campaign, encouraging the wealthiest ‘1 per cent’ to give their time, support and yes — money — to worthwhile causes. We profiled innovative charities tackling a range of social causes, and suggested ways in which the wealthy could lend their support. Our campaign caugtht the attention of Nick Hurd, the charities minister, who told us that everyone should give 1 per cent of their salary to charity, just as he does.
We’ve been especially active in covering educational philanthropy stories this year, from the low-cost private schools that are transforming secondary education in Africa, to the biggest ever gift to Oxford University and the startling revelation that without philanthropy, Oxford University wouldn’t be able to make ends meet.