The Philanthropy of Queen Elizabeth II
We all heard about the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history. She devoted her life in service to her people. She shared the attitude of responsibility and leadership at an incredibly young age, becoming queen in 1952 at the age of 25. The Charities Aid Foundation confirmed that she helped generate at least $1.4 billion a year for charity.
She was a patron of more than 600 organizations that supported a variety of causes, according to a numerous sources. Here are a few organizations she supported:
- Barnado’s
- Blind Veterans UK
- British Red Cross
- Campaign to Protect Rural England
- Cancer Research UK
- Combined Cadet Force
- Girlguiding
- London Catalyst
- Motability
- National Churches Trust
- Royal Academy of Arts
- Royal Academy of Music
- Royal College of Nursing
- Royal Forestry Society
- Royal Geographical Society
- Royal Opera House
- Royal Variety Charity
- Sea Cadets
Queen Elizabeth II likely did more for charity than any other monarch in history, favoring charities that dealt with community, civic and educational issues. She truly set an example for supporting a variety of causes through her civic leadership efforts.
It was not clear if Queen Elizabeth II, with a net worth of $500 million, according to Forbes, donated her own money to charities. British historians have said as the royal family’s active role in governing has diminished over the years, their philanthropic role increased tremendously. The family’s main role is to function as fundraisers and figureheads for charitable causes.
Numerous charities have recently thanked Queen Elizabeth II for her unwavering support over the past 70 years — since her accession to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952. These charities included the Royal National Institute of Blind People, The Kennel Club — for her love of Corgis — and the Royal Commonwealth Society.
The importance of philanthropy in the life of Queen Elizabeth II was amazing. She spent each day, supporting causes that were local, regional, national and international. It will be interesting to see, if going forward, King Charles III has the same fervor, interest and focus on making a worldwide difference for charity. It will not be easy to follow the legacy of philanthropy left by Queen Elizabeth II.
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Duke Haddad, Ed.D., CFRE, is currently associate director of development, director of capital campaigns and director of corporate development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis. He also serves as president of Duke Haddad and Associates LLC and is a freelance instructor for Nonprofit Web Advisor.
He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO since 2008.
He received his doctorate degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis on education administration plus a dissertation on donor characteristics. He received a master’s degree from Marshall University with an emphasis on public administration plus a thesis on annual fund analysis. He secured a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) with an emphasis on marketing/management. He has done post graduate work at the University of Louisville.
Duke has received the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award, from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indiana Chapter. He also was given the Outstanding West Virginian Award, Kentucky Colonel Award and Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, for his many career contributions in the field of philanthropy. He has maintained a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation for three decades.
