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societyguardian podcast: Fundraising, Charity Shops and defending Chuggers

Mark — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:40:30 +0000

It takes perseverance, innovative thinking, and a strong belief in your mission to be a successful fundraiser during a recession. With government cuts and the public’s fears about where their next paycheck is coming from purse strings are tighter than usual and charity incomes have dipped while pressures on services have inevitably increased. In this edition of the podcast we take stock of the fundraising sector and look at what’s working, how to keep supporters giving and the role online plays in the mix.

With endorsements from Dame Helen Mirren, the recent television series fronted by Mary Portas and a hike in year-on-year profits it would seem charity shops are riding high. We ask how important they are to charities and how they contribute to overall fundraising.

And it’s certain that Face-to-face fundraisers, or Chuggers as they’re more commonly termed, are never going to win any popularity contests. But many charities use them, and they most definitely produce results. Ian MacQuillan from the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association offers his defence of the humble fundraiser… which certainly gets the guests talking! Listen below, or check out the Guardian’s Charity Effectiveness microsite…..

Programme guests

Clara Avery, Head of Supporter Insight & Development at Macmillan Cancer Support

Peter Storey, Director of Marketing at Kidney Research UK

Martin Brookes, Chief Executive of New Philanthropy Capital

Warren Alexander, Chief Executive of the Association of Charity Shops

Debbie Dixon, BHF Regional Manager for London and South East.

Programme links

societyguardian podcast: Cuts and the future of infrastructure groups

Mark — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:02:59 +0000

: Image by sounddelivery via Flickr

Public Sector cuts seem to be the news story of the moment right now – so it seemed fitting as the subject for our latest charity effectiveness podcast for the Guardian (and sponsored by knowhownonprofit.org). We also wanted to know how the current economic situation was affecting the charity sector’s umbrella groups: NCVO, NAVCA and the many CVS organisations around the country. So we gathered together a small panel of esteemed guests to thrash it all out! We also consider coalition working and how charities can make the most out of strong partnerships with some wise words from Lesley-Anne Alexander, the chief executive of RNIB. This time the host is Jane Dudman, the editor of Public – the Guardian’s Public Management website. We hope you find it an enjoyable and informative listen – do let us know what you think!

Programme guests

Kevin Curley, chief executive of NAVCA

Peter Lewis, chief executive of the London Voluntary Service Council

Vandna Gohil, director of Voice 4 Change England

Alan Lewis, the chief executive of Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services

Lesley-Anne Alexander, chief executive of RNIB

Patrick Butler, the Guardian’s head of society, health and education

Programme links

Capacity Builders Survey of local third sector support providers: http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/node/460

London Voluntary Service Council’s Big Squeeze Report: http://www.lvsc.org.uk/Templates/information.asp?NodeId=100050

Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services: http://www.lcvs.org.uk

Voice 4 Change England: http://www.voice4change-england.co.uk/

Guardian Cutswatch: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/series/cutswatch

ACEVO’s cutswatch microsite: http://www.cutswatch.org.uk

NCVO’s guide to “coping with the cuts”: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/copingwithcuts

societyguardian podcast: The Big Society and Charity MPs

Mark — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:52:09 +0000

: Image by sounddelivery via Flickr

For the third of our charity effectiveness podcasts series we’ve been commissioned to produce for the Guardian (and sponsored by knowhownonprofit.org) we decided to tackle the topic of the Big Society. Commentators across the Charity and Social Enterprise spectrum have been working themselves up into a frenzy trying to work out what it will mean for them and the way they work. We took a considered approach inviting comment from the Chief Exec of Urban Forum, Toby Blume, ACEVO’s chief executive, Stephen Bubb, and the Policy and Communications Director at the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Nick Temple. As usual the Guardian’s Public Services Editor, David Brindle, was there to chair the debate and keep the guests in order. We also spent a day at Parliament where we spent time with two new MPs who bring with them considerable voluntary sector experience. And we couldn’t resist another look at Name Changes as we waved goodbye to the Third Sector and welcomed in the shiny new Civil Society! Enjoy!

Programme guests

Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive of ACEVO

Nick Temple, Policy and Communications Director at SSE – the School for Social Entrepreneurs

Toby Blume, Chief Executive of Urban Forum

Stuart Andrew, MP for Pudsey

Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan

Programme links

ACEVO’s guide to the Big Society: http://www.acevo.org.uk/Document.Doc?id=682

School for Social Entrepreneurs: http://www.sse.org.uk/

Urban Forum: http://www.urbanforum.org.uk/

Stuart Andrew MP: http://www.stuartandrew.com/

Lisa Nandy MP: http://lisanandy.blogspot.com/

New charity effectiveness podcasts

Mark — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:05:30 +0000

“Voluntary sector”, “charity”, “civil society”, “social action”, “social enterprise”. How should we best describe the third sector? This is the subject of the first of a series of podcasts about the challenges facing not-for-profit organisations, that we have produced for societyguardian and Know How Non Profit. Stuart Etherington, chief executive of NCVO, favours “civil society” – “individual citizens coming together for the public good”; Dame Mary Marsh, former head of the NSPCC and now director of the Clore Social Leadership Programme, prefers “social action”; Paul Palmer, associate dean at the Cass Business School‘s centre for charity effectiveness says “charity” is the most recognisable term, which is the reason why Nirjay Mahindru, chief executive of Guardian charity award-winner, InterAct Reading Service, uses it.

According to a marketing expert: “Branding the sector is one of the toughest challenges I’ve been asked to deliver.” The key is to define the sector’s DNA. While Volvo equals safety and Heineken is synonymous with refreshment, what does the sector stand for, he asks? We’re still taking your suggestions – please email your ideas to: charityeffectiveness@guardian.co.uk, or tweet your ideas making sure to use the hashtag #cepod.

We’re also keen to incorporate as many listeners’ ideas for future topics for the podcast, so please do get in touch!

This first podcast was presented by David Brindle, the Guardian’s Public Services Editor. It was his first time in the chair, and first time behind the microphone and we think he did a fantastic job. The next podcast will be available at the beginning of April – you can listen by following the link below: