On the #63
The Monday Shot
Last week I had the opportunity to present The List to a group of communications officers of grant-making organisations.
I spoke about how unclear communication is often more of a reputational challenge than the reasons for the changes themselves.
How communication also tends to come too late - sometimes charities only discover changes after submitting an application, or a press release is the first we hear of any immediate changes.
How updates are sometimes hidden in unrelated articles or blogs, and how, too often, the burden of “check back later” is placed on already stretched charity fundraisers.
I urged grant - making organisations to communicate before they feel fully ready rather than at the stage of a a perfect press release. This work isn't perfect. We are here for the messy middle.
Of course, we spoke about AI and volumes of applications, short deadlines, early closures, grant windows that open - or finish- over Bank Holiday weekends or in Summer Holidays.
I also asked that funders talk to each other in their restructure so that funded causes are not over or under-represented in grant-making.
What would we like funders to communicate? We have an opportunity to keep this conversation going. Hit me in the comments with your thoughts ( I have my own, obvs)
'You've got the ear of funders and the voice of fundraisers'
From my wonderful cheerleading friend Sarah-Jane Pickering 🫶🏻
