London’s High-Powered Women Strategize on Charity

Philanthropy in Great Britain is getting a boost from a small but powerful group of women business leaders, who meet regularly to discuss how to raise money to help women in need, reports The Financial Times of London.

Departing from the traditional role of charitable women who give from their husband’s wealth, these women, including senior executives at several major banks, pledged nearly $19,000 a year for three years to earn a spot in the Prince’s Trust Women’s Leadership Group. Official patrons of the group pledge 10 times that amount, the paper reports.

One group member, Yvonne Ike of JPMorgan, said the group is working to inform potential donors about the Trust, which is embarking on an effort to provide loans to start businesses. The group has already raised nearly $700,000 toward its goal of $1.9-million over three years.

“We really need to emphasize that it’s not a posh charity with lots of tea drinking,” Ms. Ike said at a recent meeting of the group.