Welcome to the June 2009 edition of the Philanthropy UK Newsletter. Firstly, I’d like to introduce myself as the new editor of Philanthropy UK. My first few weeks have been an eye-opener. Arriving from the creative sector where innovation is the order of the day, I am agog at the breadth and depth of innovative ‘good work’ being done across the globe by the myriad organisations working in the third sector, as well as the pace of development.

I very much look forward to discovering more and to meeting you, the highly active members of a flourishing philanthropic community.

In this edition we focus on the topical and contentious issue of measuring social impact. Can the ‘good’ philanthropists do be meaningfully measured? And if so, how can the human factor of social impact be captured? In seeking some answers we canvas opinion across the sector and highlight the benefits and challenges of measurement today, with case studies showing how organisations are responding to the demand to know how donations make a difference to the world.

Also in this edition, pioneering philanthropist Stephen Dawson, who co-founded Impetus Trust, the first UK general venture philanthropy fund, shares his inspirational story in ‘My philanthropic journey’.

We’d once again like to thank all involved in bringing this newsletter to you and hope you enjoy it. Please do send your feedback to us at editor@philanthropyuk.org. I’d be particularly interested to know what you would like to see included in future editions and your favourite inclusions to date.

Best wishes
Cheryl Chapman, Managing editor