Show Notes
How do we defend philanthropy? There have always been criticisms of charity in general and philanthropy in particular. But in recent years it seems that this has become more widespread, and that this issue may be having a detrimental effect on donations at all levels. If we work for a charity, understanding the issues is valuable for our own confidence and for the sector as a whole. For help and encouragement, Rob was delighted to talk to Dr Beth Breeze, Director of the Centre of Philanthropy at the University of Kent. Beth has written an excellent book on this subject, In Defence of Philanthropy. In the interview Beth shares the three most common types of criticism she has found through her research, and she shares examples and her ideas for how we might respond to each one. We’d love to know what you think and your ideas on this subject. Beth and Rob are both on LinkedIn.
More from Fundraising Bright Spots
When did someone last invest in your growth as a fundraiser? If the honest answer is “not for a while”, you’re not alone. And the good news is, you don’t have to wait for a budget to start. Robin Peake, Director of Fundraising at Wycliffe Bible Translators, shares the low-cost and no-cost habits he has been using for years, and that have helped his team keep learning and keep improving results. This encouraging conversation includes: how to find a mentor without ever asking them to be your mentor; the power of a small peer learning group; how one hour a week can transform your team’s culture; and how to persuade your boss that learning is an investment, not a cost. We’d love to know what you think! And thank you for supporting our podcast, e.g. by sharing it with colleagues or on social media. We are both on LinkedIn.
Charities rely on numbers to communicate impact. Yet year after year, supporters nod politely when you quote your statistics - without really understanding or feeling the profound meaning behind them. How can you translate your numbers so donors connect emotionally and feel moved to give? Rob was thrilled to talk to Karla Starr, co-author of the brilliant Making Numbers Count, to share techniques for bringing your most important numbers to life.
Every fundraiser knows those conversations that get avoided. The donor meeting where the ask never gets made. The strategic mistake that goes ahead because we didn’t manage to speak up. Paul McKenzie from Giant Steps calls this 'being nice' as opposed to ‘being kind’. And he reckons it's costing you more than you think. In this refreshingly honest conversation, Paul unpacks why the bravest thing you can do is ask clearly, speak truly, and stop softening things because they feel awkward. He agrees it doesn’t always feel easy! And he shares things you can do to get yourself to speak up anyway, and the massive upside when you prioritise ‘kind’ over ‘nice’. We'd love to know what you think! And thank you for supporting our podcast, e.g. by sharing it with colleagues or on social media. We are both on LinkedIn.
Most fundraisers know the frustration of hearing a funder say no to something you believe in. After years of this, Shamime decided to stop asking funders to fit her vision into their boxes - and started building her own system instead. She created Bollyfit Active to solve a real problem: giving women a safe, culturally affirming space to enjoy exercise. But funding challenges tested her resolve. This episode captures the moment she shifted from grant dependency to earned income and found a better strategy. It's a lesson in trusting your vision, telling your story and adapting your approach until it works.
Fundraising can feel safer when we stick to what's tried and tested, but is that quietly holding us back? In this episode, Chris Murphy, Director of Fundraising at Maggie's, shares five principles that have helped him grow results, including being willing to take risks. Chris and Rob discuss ways to make this easier to do, for yourself and others. And Chris gives examples of how this approach makes work more interesting and rewarding. If you've ever wondered whether playing it safe is costing you more than it's saving you, this one's worth a listen.