"Charitable giving is fundamental to a healthy society."
'If you want the world to be a better place, then do something about it. No government in the world has the resources to do all that is needed. Charitable giving is fundamental to a healthy society.’ Heeding his own words, Nick Ferguson takes an active approach to philanthropy, mixing passion with strong business sense. ‘Philanthropy is both similar to and different from investing. The people running the organisation make all the difference; yet, with charities it is much harder to measure a return.’
Nick’s own charitable giving is inspired primarily by personal experiences. In 2003 Nick founded a mentoring group for chief executives of UK charities, the Kilfinan Group, which now has nine 'Chapters' and numbers around 200 members. A key focus is Argyll, Nick’s home. He and Jane have a donor-advised fund with the Scottish Community Foundation that benefits youth and elderly in Argyll. They also have a programme of interest free loans for entrepreneurs who create much needed jobs in Argyll; and they part-finance the Argyll College Construction & Engineering Centre in Lochgilphead. The Trust gives scholarships to a number of Argyll students each year to attend Edinburgh University.
Nick summarised: ‘If you give in a thoughtful way, and get involved, you can make a huge difference, and it gives you a lot of satisfaction.’”