Leadership is the ability to get things done. For a Patron of a charity the most important skill is the ability to raise funds for your charity. A royal title is irrelevant when it doesn’t come with funds which enable impact. You can call yourself the future king but if you cannot inspire others to donate then you are just a figurehead. Charities need patrons who are leaders; not figure heads. Charities need patrons for fundraising not royal ribbon cutters.
Prince Harry played polo in Aspen Colorado and raised $3.5 million or £2.6 million. Including a personal donation of $1.5 million. Sentebale, was founded by Harry alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006. Its dedicated to supporting the well being and mental health of vulnerable children and young people in the countries of Lesotho, Botswana, and Malawi.
During the same period Prince William, the future heir raised a meager $680,000 or £500,000 for his charities. Prince William has all his expenses paid by the British taxpayer. His family wealth according to Forbes is $88 Billion yet he failed to make a personal donation to support his charities.
Prince William is tightfisted and is not known to make personal donations despite his family’s tremendous wealth. Duke Work-shy as William is affectionately known in the tabloids has never had to produce results until now. In the past Harry raised most of the funds and William got the glory.
Once upon a time it was just nice to brag about a royal being your patron, but titles do not bring funds. Charities needs funds to fulfil their social mission.
The $690,000 William raised will be divided amongst the 8 charities. Each charity will get a very small amount of $86,250 each.
Prince Harry’s $3,5 million will all go to one charity SENTEBALE. What a difference having a global leader as a royal patron makes.
The Sentebale Polo Cup is an annual charity sports match which represents the charity’s single largest fundraising event.
Charities and nonprofits want results. Publicity from tabloids is irrelevant because it doesn’t come with funds for charities. William has all the royal family funds, royal infrastructure, PR and the whole tabloid establishment in the UK. His influence yielded small sum of $82,650 per charity. Leadership is influence so Prince William has to level up. The protocols of the past are inadequate for the present where patrons have to raise funds for their charities.
Prince Harry has captured the hearts, minds of a significant number of people who are willing to sign checks for this worthy cause. Prince Harry is better connected to wealthy, influential and important people who are purpose driven.
The Sentebale Polo Cup is critical to securing the funds needed to advance this important mission to support Sentebale. Prince Harry supports Sentebale financially through the personal $1.5 million charitable donation to meet this immediate need to children and communities who gravely need it.
The Duke also noted that the “refocused mission” of Sentebale is to address the most immediate needs of vulnerable children in South Africa. Helping them access vital health services, receive necessary care, and build skills to be more resilient and self-sufficient in the future.
Leadership is about results, whether you are Prince or future king as patron you have to raise funds.
