On the eve of the first-ever third sector conference, over 140 people attended a dinner to honour philanthropists of the past and the future.

The dinner was held by the Centre on Philanthropy, which was founded in 1991 to help meet the need for more effective and efficient voluntary action in Bermuda.

Entitled ‘Giving in Partnership’, the conference will explore the many ways the community can come together to have greater impact.

And the founder of the organisation, Cummings Zuill, was honoured on Thursday night by Gordon Johnson for his work with the community.

Mr. Johnson said: “At the height of his professional career, Mr. Zuill acted upon his personal belief that Bermuda needed to find a way to tap into the Island’s innate spirit of generosity to create an organise structure for philanthropy. He believed in his heart that if Bermuda was to meet the needs of all of its residents, philanthropy had to be nurtured. So almost 20 years ago, he established the Centre on Philanthropy and through thick and thin, he has kept it going.”

Also recognised on Thursday night were six philanthropists who have volunteered and worked in the non-profit sector for over 20 years.

The honourees included Judith Burgess, PRIDE Bermuda, Ann Dunstan of the Reading Clinic, Mark Hall of Word of Life, Edward Harris of Bermuda Maritime Museum, Tony Knap of Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and Ann Spencer Arscott of the Bermuda Red Cross.

Not only were the philanthropists, which have already contributed so much to Bermuda recognised, but so were the those only starting out in philanthropy. Neville Vanderpool, a CedarBridge student, won the youth award for the initiative he took in raising funds for the Lead-Bermuda group’s trip to Washington, D.C.

On his own, Neville raised three quarters of the funds necessary and also mentored his peers so they can continue the programme, which trains youth to be leaders.

His award included a plaque and $2,500 scholarship towards his education.

The conference, which was held Thursday and Friday, included renowned international and local participants in the non-profit sector, including representatives from Coca-Cola, PartnerRe, Atlantic Philanthropies, World Vision, KPMG, and New Philanthropy Capital.

Brian Duperreault, chairman of Ace, said: “Tonight, we will honour those who have made ‘Giving’ an act of will. They have made the decision to be givers, of themselves, and their talents, so that we all may benefit. “We will recognise those who have made a career of giving.”