Collective power
This week, I joined the fundraising lunch and learn with the full intent of introducing and dialling off. I’d seen the contents before after all. I didn’t think I’d learn anything new.
But then Ed, a Director in our Consulting team joined and started to talk about crypto and angel protocol investing. A new and emerging opportunity, but ultimately one that those on the call felt wouldn’t be right for charities because of the lack of control on where funds were invested. A really cool, and innovative idea. I was really excited about this concept and the potential impact on the charity sector. I’d encourage you to watch the recording if you missed it — I won’t even try and summarise!
This lunch and learn, along with something we discussed on the last roundtable with our CEO, got me thinking.
There’s a lot of misconceptions, or impractical views about where you invest time and money as charities. Ultimately the more strategic you are in that regard, in the long run it means you’ll be able to deliver greater impact. I know that we know that, but Joe Public often doesn’t see it that way.
But how do you, we, society start to change those views? Help educate those who think charity workers shouldn’t earn a salary (don’t even get me started on that!), or that your organisations shouldn’t invest in software or systems?
This is a big culture change. Something I think fundamentally as human’s we’re not great with.
An example. We trialled tomato pay, open banking point to point payments as a fundraising mechanism. To be frank people were troubled. Were their bank details being shared, what was this magic? It’s no different to you sending cash via your banking app to an account; but we weren’t using a ‘traditional’ fundraising mechanism like JustGiving, so I think everyone’s initial thoughts went to security, privacy, was the charity getting all the cash etc.
The irony is that it’s safer (no transposing of digits), quicker, no percentages taken and easier than having to log in, type in card details etc. etc. But that didn’t really seem to matter.
So where am I going with this waffle?
The collective power and influence of the sector is huge. Charities are ultimately trusted, valued and respected.
Innovation is scary. It’s hard. It takes funds and resources. On your own it’s like trying to turn a tanker with a rope and a front crawl. But together, the sector is a huge cruise ship. You have the power to turn the tides — I think I’ve really exhausted that metaphor, but you get the idea.
But it risks putting off long-term donors. Stepping out and being bold, which I am not in any way underestimating.
I don’t have the answer, I’m not even sure I have a question. Just an observation. Don’t think of yourselves as individual swimmers. Join forces. Use that power to influence change, influence putting social good on the front of all agendas. I’m sure your supporters, corporate partners and funders would stand beside you and help you turn the tanker.
