I was contacted over the summer by a former colleague, now the executive director of the Gradel Institute of Charity at New College at Oxford University.

We worked closely together during the 2010’s and his note focused on the rapid passing of time and, to make that particular point, he referenced an event we had both attended exactly ten years ago.

The occasion was the 21^st anniversary of the founding of the Oxfordshire Community Foundation. It was a beautiful day and the setting was wonderful – Broughton Castle, near Oxford, which can trace its history back to1306.

We enjoyed great company, great food and, perhaps most of all, a wonderful provocation from the guest speaker – the eminent philosophy professor and author, A. C. Grayling, who treated us to an erudite, pithy, funny and memorable address on the subject of “why giving away your money makes you wealthier.”

For those of you interested to check out his words for yourself, I’d encourage you to take a look, here.

Of course, the words are flatter on the page than when they were delivered orally, with the mastery Grayling displayed and the twinkle in his eye, but you’ll quickly get the central point he was making about philanthropy which is that…

“the more you give, the wealthier you are, because the more satisfying life is, to feel that you’ve made a difference to other people out there and around you.”

As we experience global tension, economic and political uncertainty and supersonic technological change, his words made me think that perhaps we should all take a moment to draw encouragement and hope from the enormous contribution that philanthropy has made and continues to make to our world.

Indeed, in many ways, it could perhaps be argued that the power of philanthropy exemplifies the very best of the human spirit as donors, volunteers and members of staff come together to achieve something greater than they could on their own.

Of course, there will be those who use their giving as some sort of reparation for current or previous misdemeanors, or as some form of personal brand embellishment, but for most it is an authentic extension of their belief in personal responsibility and their commitment to the widest possible notion of community.

And that’s why, in today’s tempestuous world, A. C. Grayling’s excellent words serve, for me, as a timely reminder of the power of philanthropy.