GovernWise Presents: Charity Matters from NFP News

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Welcome to "Charity Matters" from NFP News," your essential briefing for the UK's third sector. This is the go-to podcast for charity leaders, trustees, and nonprofit professionals who need to stay ahead. Each episode, we bring you the most important stories and insights from NFP News, curated and analysed by the experts at GovernWise.UK. We cut through the noise to focus on what truly matters - from critical policy changes and governance best practices to the latest in fundraising and digital trends. Stay informed, ensure compliance, and lead your organisation with confidence

Episodes

  1. 12/02/2025

    November 2025 Part Two Episode 2

    Navigating the Great Compression: Survival and Evolution in the UK Charity Sector In this episode of Charity Matters from NFP News, hosted by Jasper Maddox, we explore how today’s decisions will shape the future of charities amid what is being called the 'Great Compression'. This crisis is defined by declining donor support, rising operational costs, escalating public demand, and strained financial viability, threatening the UK charity sector's capacity to operate. By analysing financial strains, regulatory challenges, and human costs, we examine how charities can navigate these pressures. Highlighted are the critical needs for professionalisation, responsible AI use, ethical governance, and innovative financial strategies such as social enterprise and partnerships. The episode offers a clear call to action for charity leaders to balance immediate survival with long-term sustainability, advocating for professional expertise and transparent, authentic engagement to rebuild public trust and ensure future resilience. 00:00 Introduction to Charity Matters 00:51 Understanding the Great Compression 03:17 Financial and Human Strain in the Charity Sector 08:39 Governance Challenges and Trustee Recruitment 14:18 Professionalization and Evolution of the Sector 30:09 Innovative Financial Strategies for Survival 48:09 The Hidden Cost of Community Benefits 49:02 AI Revolution in Charities 51:25 Ethical Risks of AI in Charities 55:58 The Impact Black Hole and Public Trust 01:00:15 The Perfect Storm: Economic Pressure and Technological Disruption 01:04:44 The Big Squeeze: Structural Failures in the Charity Sector 01:12:26 The Scrutiny Paradox: Increased Pressure on Charities 01:20:33 Strategic Adaptations for Resilience 01:29:18 The Future of Charities: Strategic Discipline and Advocacy #GreatCompression, #NonprofitSurvival, #FinancialResilience, #SectorEvolution, #PublicTrust,#CharityGovernance, #EthicalAI, #SocialEnterprise, #StrategicAdaptation,#NFPNews, #JasperMaddox, #CharityMatters, #ResponsibleAI, #CharityFunding

    1h 35m

  2. 12/02/2025

    November 2025 Part Two Episode 1

    Navigating the Great Squeeze: Resilience Strategies for the UK Charity Sector In this episode of Charity Matters from NFP News, hosted by Jasper Maddox, we explore the multifaceted crisis facing the UK charity sector. Dubbed the 'Great Squeeze,' the sector is being simultaneously overwhelmed by soaring operational costs, heightened demand for services, and plummeting income. Maddox highlights two primary perspectives: whether the root cause is failing internal governance or an unsustainable external regulatory environment. We delve into case studies, sector data, and regulatory changes to dissect how these pressures are reshaping charities, forcing them to adapt with innovative financial strategies, enhanced governance practices, and ethical rigour. The episode underscores the need for proactive governance, ethical courage, and documented diligence to ensure survival and effective mission delivery in this harrowing landscape. 00:00 Introduction to Charity Matters 00:52 The Current Crisis in the Charity Sector 02:50 Financial Strain and Organisational Collapse 09:11 Innovative Responses and Strategic Resilience 13:21 Ethical Dilemmas in Funding 18:29 Advocacy and Systemic Change 24:27 Internal Governance and Staff Protection 28:56 Technological and Regulatory Challenges 33:54 Recap and Future Outlook 54:32 The Recruitment Problem and Its Consequences 55:24 Legal and Ethical Boundaries in Charity Work 56:23 Internal Governance Failures and Staff Welfare 58:26 The Crisis of Connection with Donors 01:02:50 The Intersection of Financial Desperation and Ethical Standards 01:04:43 The Impact of Financial Crisis on Service Delivery 01:06:13 Structural Imbalances in Funding 01:07:36 The Need for Radical Reform 01:09:23 Synthesising Internal and External Challenges 01:12:25 The Role of Trustees and Governance in Navigating Complexities 01:14:04 The Shift in Regulatory Philosophy 01:17:05 Case Studies of Regulatory Intervention 01:20:57 The Burden of New Regulatory Rules 01:29:46 The Internal Governance Crisis 01:35:57 The Technology Trap and Ethical Dilemmas 01:43:03 Blueprints for Resilience 01:46:12 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook #GreatCompression, #NonprofitSurvival, #FinancialResilience, #SectorEvolution, #PublicTrust,#CharityGovernance, #EthicalAI, #SocialEnterprise, #StrategicAdaptation,#NFPNews, #JasperMaddox, #CharityMatters, #ResponsibleAI, #CharityFunding

    1h 48m

  3. 11/21/2025

    2025 November Charity Matters Part One

    Buckle up, non-profit pros! 🎧 In this episode, we’re tearing into the jam-packed November 15, 2025 edition of NFP News Charity Matters, and wow... is it a heavy one. Join your hosts for a lively, no-holds-barred tour through the magazine's five headline sections. We’re unpacking the "Perfect Storm" battering the UK charity sector and the radical reinventions rising from the wreckage. In this episode, we dive into: 0:00:50 🚀 The Uplift: Why charities are ditching "chequebook" partnerships for "social unicorns" and the 100x Impact Accelerator. Plus: Is pro-bono expertise the new cash? 0:28:45 📉 Sector Scrutiny: The tragic collapse of Bloody Good Period and the "Triple Threat" (costs, demand, income) that’s pushing charities to the brink. 0:41:20 ⚖️ Governance & Compliance: The regulator is taking the gloves off! We discuss the Church of England ultimatum and why the new "zero-tip" rule is a game-changer for donor trust. 1:10:00 👥 Leadership & People: A diversity crisis exposed (0% Black CEOs?! 🚩) and a masterclass in leadership from the RNLI's Peter Sparkes. 1:41:00 💰 Fundraising Finds: From climbing Ama Dablam for grief to Crisis becoming a landlord (yes, really!), we look at the wild new ways charities are surviving.2:14:20 The Big Question — where we ask 'Is radical reinvention the only way forward, or is the sector just breaking down?'Grab your coffee (or something stronger), and let’s get into it! ☕👇 #CharityMatters #NFPNews #UKCharity #NonProfitLeadership #SocialImpact #Fundraising #Podcast

    2h 48m

  4. 11/15/2025

    2025 October Part Three

    In this essential briefing for charity leaders and trustees, we cut through the noise to bring you four critical stories shaping the UK's third sector today. The Three Million Volunteer Gap: A Sector's Blueprint for Survival The UK’s charity sector is facing a perfect storm. As the cost-of-living crisis drives unprecedented demand for services, the very foundation of its workforce—its volunteers—is crumbling. A staggering three-million-person gap has opened up, leaving vital community services at severe risk. In this episode, we go deep into a new report from our Sector Analysis section to understand this critical shortfall. This isn't just a simple recruitment problem; it's a structural crisis accelerated by post-pandemic habit changes, new economic pressures, and a fundamental shift in how people want to give their time. Join us as we report on the data showing formal volunteering at its lowest recorded level and hear the real-world impact from frontline charities. We explore: The Human Cost: What happens when literacy charities have more children in need than volunteers to read with them? Or when waiting lists for guide dogs get longer? We share the voices from the frontline, warning of a system "stretched too thin." The Drivers of the Decline: We deconstruct the "why" behind the gap. It’s a toxic mix of "time poverty," financial anxiety over travel expenses, volunteer burnout, and a growing feeling that volunteering has become "too much like paid work." The Generational Shift: The traditional, long-term volunteer is disappearing. We look at the new generation of givers who seek flexibility, purpose-driven projects, and digital roles—and why many organisations are failing to engage them. A New Blueprint for Survival: This crisis is forcing a revolution. We report on the innovative solutions being deployed, from the launch of "GoVo," a new national "one-stop shop" for flexible opportunities backed by major charities, to the proven power of virtual roles. This is the story of a sector at a critical juncture, moving "beyond recruitment" to fundamentally reinvent its relationship with volunteers. It’s a blueprint for survival in a new era of giving. Subscribe to Charity Matters and ensure you never miss the insights that help you lead with confidence. https://nfpnews.co.uk/ https://governwise.uk/

    35 min

  5. 11/15/2025

    2025 October Part Two

    In this essential briefing for charity leaders and trustees, we cut through the noise to bring you four critical stories shaping the UK's third sector today. 00:49 The Warning Sign: RSPCA Job Cuts and the Sector-Wide Squeeze We start with the story that's sending shivers through the sector: the RSPCA's significant job cuts. This isn't just an isolated story about one (albeit massive) organisation; it's a distress flare. We unpack the "crosscurrents" hammering UK charities, from the relentless cost-of-living crisis squeezing donor wallets to the crushing weight of inflation on operational costs, energy bills, and staff salaries. When a household name like the RSPCA faces this level of financial strain, it's not just a warning sign for the sector at large. It's a potential crisis for smaller, less-visible non-profits. We discuss the impossible choices leaders are facing and question what this 'deeper crisis' means for the future of service delivery across the country. This is a call to action for all of us to consider the ripple effects of such financial strains. 14:20 The Corporate Blueprint: Beyond the Cheque with Ordnance Survey As the sector grapples with financial realities, one story points to a new, more sophisticated way of working: partnership. We analyse the new collaboration involving Ordnance Survey, the UK's mapping agency. This is a prime example of a corporate partnership that goes far "beyond the cheque." This isn't just about a simple donation; it's about leveraging unique skills, data, and resources to achieve a deeper, more mutual impact. We explore what this new generation of corporate-charity partnership looks like. Is it a scalable 'blueprint' for the entire sector? How can charities of all sizes shift their focus from corporate engagement as solely financial to building relationships based on shared value, skills-based volunteering, and data integration? We look at what makes this partnership a potential game-changer, offering a glimmer of hope for the future of the sector. 26:00 The Human Blueprint: How Friendship and a Pint Redefined Fundraising Finally, we end on a story that reminds us why we're all in this: the power of human connection. In a world saturated with digital "asks" and fundraising fatigue, one campaign cut through the noise by being beautifully simple and profoundly... real. We dive into the story of how a tale of friendship "brewed" a new blueprint for authentic fundraising. This is a powerful case study in moving away from slick, transactional campaigns and embracing genuine, story-led connections. Why did this "more than just a pint" approach resonate so deeply? We discuss how other nonprofits, big and small, can tap into their own authentic narratives to build community, inspire action, and foster lasting relationships. 37:30 The Systemic Win: A £47M Boost from Audit Reform From the frontline crisis, we move to a massive, systemic win that may have flown under your radar. The government has finally confirmed a rise in the charity audit threshold to £1.5 million. This sounds dry and technical, but its impact is profound. This single change is expected to save the sector an estimated £47 million per year. We break down what this regulatory shift actually means in practice. Which charities will benefit the most? How does this move cut red tape and liberate thousands of organisations from a heavy administrative burden? Most importantly, we discuss what charities can do with those saved millions and the countless hours of reclaimed staff and volunteer time. (Hint: It’s all about reinvesting in frontline services and mission-critical work). JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Subscribe to Charity Matters and ensure you never miss the insights that help you lead with confidence. https://nfpnews.co.uk/ https://governwise.uk/

    52 min

  6. 11/15/2025

    2025 October Part One

    In this essential briefing for charity leaders and trustees, we cut through the noise to bring you four critical stories shaping the UK's third sector today. 00:50 BIG GIVE'S £2.4M LIFELINE TO WOMEN'S CHARITIES A record-breaking fundraising campaign raised £2.4 million for over 217 women and girls' charities—but exposes a stark reality: these organisations receive just 1.8% of UK charitable funding while demand surged 91%. We examine why match-funding works (donors give 2.5x more when matched), the Julia Rausing Trust's pivotal £1 million contribution, and what this reveals about systemic underfunding. From domestic abuse survivors finding "healing homes" to Rape Crisis centres with 11,000 on waiting lists, this campaign is both triumph and warning. 13:10 RESPONSE AT 60: RESILIENCE AND RISK Mental health charity Response celebrates six decades—from pioneering 1963 group homes to supporting 2,063 young people today. But this milestone is shadowed by crisis: statutory funding hasn't kept pace with inflation, forcing programme closures like the Mental Wealth Academy. CEO Nicola Leavesley warns of "record, urgent demand" as the charity pivots to public fundraising. This 60-year journey reveals how even impactful organisations face vulnerability when statutory contracts erode. 24:00 AUTHENTIC FUNDRAISING: ONE FAN'S TRIBUTE When West Ham supporter David Foster lost his daughter Emily to suicide at 26, he completed her dream: a 140-mile coastal walk raising £12,000 for Rape Crisis. His JustGiving Award was presented pitch-side by club captain Jarrod Bowen. We dissect this masterclass in grassroots fundraising: authentic personal narratives, sports partnerships grounded in community ties, and hyper-personal recognition that cuts through digital noise. A blueprint for emotionally resonant engagement that drives giving. 34:00 MANCHESTER PRIDE'S COLLAPSE: A GOVERNANCE WARNING One of the UK's most prominent LGBTQ+ charities has entered liquidation with £1.3 million in debts. We investigate the collapse: CEO Mark Fletcher's growth strategy doubled income to £3.9 million but drained charitable giving to just 3%. The 2019 Ariana Grande booking cost £600,000 in artist fees. Community trust fractured when Fletcher cut local charity funding. Two final gambles—the failed Mardi Gras event and losing the EuroPride 2028 bid—sealed the fate. Unpaid artists and suppliers bear the cost. With the Charity Commission investigating, this exposes reckless spending and governance failure—urgent lessons for trustees sector-wide. WHY THIS MATTERS From innovative fundraising models and milestone anniversaries to authentic donor engagement and catastrophic governance failures, this episode captures the third sector's complex reality. We analyse the funding crisis squeezing essential services, celebrate grassroots innovation, and examine what happens when commercial ambition eclipses charitable mission. For charity leaders, trustees, and nonprofit professionals navigating policy changes, governance risks, and fundraising challenges—this is your essential briefing from NFP News, curated and analysed by GovernWise.UK. Subscribe to Charity Matters and ensure you never miss the insights that help you lead with confidence. https://nfpnews.co.uk/ https://governwise.uk/

    50 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

Welcome to "Charity Matters" from NFP News," your essential briefing for the UK's third sector. This is the go-to podcast for charity leaders, trustees, and nonprofit professionals who need to stay ahead. Each episode, we bring you the most important stories and insights from NFP News, curated and analysed by the experts at GovernWise.UK. We cut through the noise to focus on what truly matters - from critical policy changes and governance best practices to the latest in fundraising and digital trends. Stay informed, ensure compliance, and lead your organisation with confidence

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