Why every charity should be thinking about operational research

Emily Burt is joined by Natalie Pinon, interim chief executive of NPT UK. Natalie describes the increasing willingness among high net worth individuals to talk about charitable giving, and the growing desire to experience the positive impact their wealth can make in their lifetime, rather than as a legacy gift. Emily and Natalie discuss Charities Aid Foundation research that found the majority of wealth advisers wait for clients to raise the topic of charitable giving rather than initiating the conversation, and how to close the confidence gap. Natalie points to the broad range of structures that facilitate major giving, including the advantages of setting up a Donor Advised Fund over a new charitable trust or foundation. Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, click here. Subscribe to the Third Sector Podcast on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify.

Editor Emily Burt is joined by Ed Ikin, chief executive of the Ernest Cook Trust, an educational charity and funder that cares for 9,000 hectares of land across six UK counties and delivers outdoor learning to 4,000 young people every year. They discuss how the history of the trust is shaping its approach to grantmaking, as the organisation begins the process of adopting a place-focused approach to its partnerships. Ed outlines a “proof of concept” for making the organisation’s unique mix of assets fulfil a clear role in its founding goal of providing education. And he emphasises the value of open, respectful communication with charity partners as the trust works through the exploratory stages of shifting its model. Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, click here. Subscribe to the Third Sector Podcast on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify.

Host Emily Burt is joined by Third Sector colleagues Andy Ricketts and Emily Harle to talk about three significant sector stories from the past month. Two months after the new Prime Minister’s cabinet was announced, Andy explores the career of the newly appointed charities minister and the team discuss the possible outcomes of the finalised DCMS briefs. Emily reflects on the funding intervention that saved Reach Volunteering from closure, weeks after the charity announced it would begin winding down. And the team discuss the escalating far-right rhetoric that has seen RNLI staff and volunteers targeted by “those who would hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard”.

Editor Emily Burt is joined by Asma Shah, chief executive of You Make It, a charity that exists to empower and advance the professional and personal development of young Black and brown women living in East London. Asma discusses founding You Make It at a time when the importance of lived experience was not recognised by funders, and how operating in survival mode has shaped her approach to leadership. She talks about the ways that funding ‘buzzwords’ can fail to recognise the impact small organisations deliver, and why charities should not shy away from taking an entrepreneurial approach to income generation.

Third Sector editor Emily Burt and deputy editor Andy Ricketts hear from Adam Baker, director of communications and supporter engagement at Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance. Adam talks about the charity’s recent “thankathons”, an annual event where staff and volunteers come together to spend the day saying thank you to people who have donated to the air ambulance. He discusses the benefits of running such an event and highlights some of the lessons the charity has learned from the days so far. He also digs into some of the practicalities of the day and gives his advice for other charities considering running their own thankathon.