Last month, on the eve of his retirement, Global Greengrants Fund board member Stephen Pittam and the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust accepted the 2012 Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy.
The prize, which recognizes exceptional and innovative philanthropy, is one of the most prestigious philanthropy awards in Europe. It is a remarkable and well-deserved achievement.
“The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust’s work to generate peace, political equality, and social justice exemplifies the contribution that philanthropy and civil society can play in shaping the social and political landscape,” said Jane Francis, Director of Policy Development for the Mercator Fund.
Stephen Pittam had been with the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust since 1986 and just retired from his post as Trust Secretary. While there, he oversaw the expansion of the Trust’s work from Northern Ireland into Ireland, and set up a local Racial Justice program in West Yorkshire. Prior to that, he worked in local government and community development.
As his first, and currently only, non-leisure activity in retirement, Stephen joined the Global Greengrants Fund board in January of this year.
“Stephen brings decades of funding experience in the shared values of Global Greengrants Fund to our board,” said Terry Odendahl, Global Greengrants Fund’s executive director. “We are thrilled to welcome our first-ever European board member—a remarkable individual who has been credited with playing a pivotal role in passing the human rights act of the United Kingdom.”
Just last month, Global Greengrants Fund became incorporated in the United Kingdom.
More about the Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy
More about the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust