Bigger Slice

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This is a podcast for small charity leaders navigating the messy middle of running a charity. Each month, we sit down with a different small charity leader to talk about what fundraising and impact really looks like when you're doing everything on a shoestring. From winning that first £500 grant money to the emotional weight of being chief everything officers. If you're a small charity leader who's ever felt alone in the struggle, this podcast is for you. Find out more about our guests and support their work at [raiser.uk/podcast](http://raiser.uk/podcast)

Episodes

  1. Jul 22

    Why we became a charity after 26 years in theatre | Bigger Slice

    In this episode of Bigger Slice, Luke speaks with Mark Hornsey, Co-Artistic Director (co-founder) of Babbling Vagabonds: a rural theatre and community arts charity. They talk about what it takes to keep a small arts organisation alive over decades: how their income mix has shifted from schools work and commissions to grants and public ticket sales, what changed (especially post-Covid), and why they chose to become a charity in 2023. Including all the trade-offs of more bidding, more reporting, but ultimately more stability. We also get into the messy reality of measuring impact in participatory arts, and Mark shares practical, human ways to capture the stories that matter without drowning in impact paperwork. Create your free Raiser account: https://raiser.uk/ ... 🧑‍💼 Hosted by: Luke Wilkinson | https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilkinsonluke/ ... 📸 Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/raiser.uk/ 🎧 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/3MbHNDhHs0irJcNXCh93jv 🎬 TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@raiser.uk 🔔 Subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications so you don’t miss out on any episodes.

  2. Mar 19

    The Simple Workflow That Funds Our Charity. | Bigger Slice

    In this episode of Bigger Slice, we’re joined by Katie Potter, Education and Fundraising Co-ordinator at Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust. Katie shares the story behind Buxton’s iconic Crescent, how the Trust was created to ensure public access to this restored landmark, and how they’re bringing history back to life. She even joined this episode from their "hot air balloon" experience! We dig into the realities of funding a small charity that looks, from the outside, like it must be “sorted” because it sits alongside a major heritage asset. Spoiler: It's not always as it seems. Katie breaks down the true picture: no core pot of money, and the constant challenge of building a sustainable income mix through sponsorship, and grants. You’ll also hear practical lessons on measuring and communicating impact: moving beyond “this activity happened” to the deeper “why it matters,” collecting impact evidence from across the organisation, and using accessible frameworks to stay on track. Katie’s message to funders is clear: core funding keeps the legacy of project funding alive, sustains the essential work that can’t pay for itself, and helps small teams keep innovating and serving their communities. But please, please, please...Funders. Fund the boring stuff! Not just the fancy projects. Charities still need funds to employ staff, not just break out big new events. If you wear multiple hats in a small charity. Delivery, fundraising, planning, reporting, and everything in between. This one’s for you.

  • 2 Episodes

About

This is a podcast for small charity leaders navigating the messy middle of running a charity. Each month, we sit down with a different small charity leader to talk about what fundraising and impact really looks like when you're doing everything on a shoestring. From winning that first £500 grant money to the emotional weight of being chief everything officers. If you're a small charity leader who's ever felt alone in the struggle, this podcast is for you. Find out more about our guests and support their work at [raiser.uk/podcast](http://raiser.uk/podcast)

Information

  • Creator
    Raiser
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Raiser
  • Show Website
    Bigger Slice