Hundreds of beneficiaries have gathered to celebrate a foundation set up by a Glasgow businessman which has given away hundreds of millions of pounds since it was launched in 1955.
The event at Glasgow University, to mark the 60th anniversary of the Wolfson Foundation, was attended by the First Minister and more than 200 leading figures from health, education and culture. The Foundation, which has given away the equivalent of around £1.7 billion over six decades, was created by Sir Isaac Wolfson, who was born to Jewish immigrants in 1897 and made his fortune in business, with Great Universal Stores.
The Foundation, has maintained close links with Scotland and donated more than £150 million to universities, health, museums and galleries and charities north of the border over its 60 years.
Opening the celebrations, Nicola Sturgeon said “Isaac Wolfson’s vision and generosity has supported the establishment of a truly remarkable institution – one which has contributed hugely to supporting culture, health and education in Scotland and across these islands. The Wolfson Foundation is an important and inspiring example of the benefits philanthropy can bring – not by replacing public investment, but by complementing it."
Guest speaker Sir David Cannadine paid tribute to Wolfson’s philanthropic legacy.
By supporting Scottish universities, which Sir David described as “one the greatest glories of the Scottish nation”, Wolfson had, Sir David claimed, “repaid many times over the debt his family owed Glasgow” and “been unstinting in the promotion of academic excellence.”
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: “It is a great privilege and pleasure to celebrate the Wolfson Foundation’s 60th anniversary in the city which welcomed Sir Isaac Wolfson’s family as refugees so many years ago. Our funding in Scotland remains important to us, and tonight is a celebration above all of the wonderful organisations and individuals that we have been able to support. We are honoured to be joined by the First Minister and so many distinguished individuals from Scotland’s admirable cultural institutions.”
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