JIM MYERS

10 June 1941 – 07 February 2023

Born an American near Buffalo New York, Jim came to Europe as a GI and settled there, having fallen in love with Paris. After marrying his English wife, Amy, in 1976, he came to England to run the London office of The American Tax Institute. Later Jim, thanks to his perseverance, grit, passion, kindness, and determination, founded The European Association of Planned Giving [the forerunner of Philanthropy Impact].

In later years, he was a partner in the charity publishing firm Social Partnership Marketing and an enthusiastic member of the fundraising team for Exeter Science Centre.

Jim was passionate about helping the not-for-profit sector and had an amazing ability to bring people together to share their knowledge and technical experience. He was a brilliant networker and a force for good. He will not be forgotten. 

At this difficult time, we extend our deepest condolences and thoughts to all of his family.

“I was very sad to hear the news that the wonderful, charming and unpretentious Jim Myers had died suddenly on Tuesday last week of a brain haemorrhage. He was a well-loved and enthusiastic philanthropist, always looking for ways to support charitable causes of one kind or another and he worked hard to increase charitable giving in the UK and internationally. He started the charity, the European Association for Planned Giving (EAPG), many years ago and persuaded me to become a trustee, which I never regretted as I learnt so much from him. The EAPG eventually morphed into Philanthropy Impact, a charity which continues Jim’s legacy of educating professionals about philanthropy and impact investing in order to give them the tools to engage with and help their clients in planning their charitable giving and investing for impact. It was an honour and privilege to know him and he will be hugely missed. My deepest condolences to his family – rest in peace, Jim.”

Ceris Gardner, Partner of Maurice Turnor Gardner, and Board Member of Philanthropy Impact

“Jim Myers was the founder of the predecessor to Philanthropy Impact and many long-time supporters will remember him for his zeal for philanthropy.  He moved to Europe with a large US tax publishing group many decades ago and rapidly became a fixture on the London US tax scene, known to accountants and lawyers.  With others, he was instrumental in setting up a US tax discussion group which flourished for many years.  After he retired he wanted to use his network of tax practitioners and advisers to establish a philanthropy discussion group, which tried to address the age-old conundrum of why North Americans had leapfrogged the British to become the most philanthropically minded and generous supporters of charitable causes in the world.  Jim was keen to raise awareness of philanthropy as a key tool in everyone's personal planning and to connect charities with advisers.  At the time it was the only group that sought to bring together charities and advisers to promote charitable giving.

Jim's overriding charitable interests did not prevent him from enjoying fine food and wine, perhaps a legacy of his years in Paris, and collecting antique watches.  He enjoyed living in the Kent countryside with his wife Amy.”

Richard Cassell, Of Counsel at Withers LLP and Board Member of Philanthropy Impact

“I am not sure what I would say about Jim other than that it was his determination persistence and passion for philanthropy that launched EAPG…he was a visionary.”

Suzanne Reisman, US private client and philanthropy lawyer