Why fundraiser wellbeing can’t wait - with Alan Clayton

Small charities, donor joy and fundraising readiness - with Emma-Louise Singh and Emma Low, Nova Fundraising

Small charities make up around 96% of the UK charity sector, but despite their scale and impact, they can often feel overlooked in wider sector conversations. In this episode of Let’s Talk Fundraising, Tim Beynon is joined by guest co-host Rob Cope, Executive Director of Membership and Operations at CIOF, to explore the realities of fundraising in small charities ahead of Small Charity Week. Rob shares insights from his role as Chair of Citizens Advice Lewisham, discussing the growing pressures on local charities, the importance of community-rooted support, and why small charities remain the “fabric of society”. They’re also joined by Emma-Louise Singh and Emma Low from Nova Fundraising [https://www.novafundraising.co.uk/] for a practical, honest and uplifting conversation about what it really takes to fundraise successfully as a small charity. Together, they discuss: *  Why fundraising readiness matters  *  The Nova Octagon for effective fundraising  *  Building donor joy and donor love  *  Why small charities often outperform larger organisations on supporter relationships  *  The challenges of grant fundraising in today’s climate  *  Collaboration, storytelling and community fundraising  *  Legacy fundraising for small charities  *  How to avoid burnout and focus your limited capacity where it matters most  *  The importance of networking, peer support and finding your “tribe”  There are also brilliant practical examples throughout the episode, from handmade donor thank-you gifts to transformational partnerships and community storytelling. Meet the guests Emma-Louise Singh, Director, Nova Fundraising Emma-Louise has more than 15 years of fundraising experience across both large national charities and small grassroots organisations. Having built fundraising functions from scratch within small charities, she is passionate about helping organisations grow sustainable income, strengthen supporter relationships and build fundraising confidence. Her background includes individual giving, events and legacy fundraising. Emma Low, Director, Nova Fundraising Emma has held fundraising leadership roles across organisations including Crisis, Asthma UK, Diabetes UK and Womankind Worldwide. She specialises in helping small charities develop practical, relationship-led fundraising approaches and is particularly passionate about storytelling, donor engagement and fundraising strategy rooted in community impact. Rob Cope, Executive Director of Membership and Operations, CIOF Rob has worked at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising for more than a decade and leads its work supporting thousands of individual and organisational members across the UK. Alongside his CIOF role, he is Chair of Citizens Advice Lewisham, giving him first-hand insight into the opportunities and challenges facing small charities today. Connect with the guests * Nova Fundraising website [https://www.novafundraising.co.uk]: https://www.novafundraising.co.uk/ [https://www.novafundraising.co.uk/] * Nova Fundraising on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-fundraising-ltd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-fundraising-ltd/] * Emma-Louise Singh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-louisesingh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-louisesingh/] * Emma Low on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-low-5814211b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-low-5814211b/] * Chartered Institute of Fundraising [https://ciof.org.uk/]: https://ciof.org.uk/ [https://ciof.org.uk/] * Rob Cope on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-cope-a071401a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-cope-a071401a/] Useful links * CIOF Free small charity membership information [https://ciof.org.uk/membership/free-small-charity-membership/]: https://ciof.org.uk/membership/free-small-charity-membership/ [https://ciof.org.uk/membership/free-small-charity-membership/] * Fundraising Convention information: https://ciof.org.uk/fundraising-convention-2026/ [https://ciof.org.uk/fundraising-convention-2026/] * CIOF: Navigating soft opt-in and new guidance from the ICO [https://ciof.org.uk/news-policy-and-research/latest-news/navigating-soft-opt-in-and-new-guidance-from-the-ico/]: https://ciof.org.uk/news-policy-and-research/latest-news/navigating-soft-opt-in-and-new-guidance-from-the-ico/ [https://ciof.org.uk/news-policy-and-research/latest-news/navigating-soft-opt-in-and-new-guidance-from-the-ico/] * ICO guidance on charitable soft opt-in [https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/direct-marketing-and-privacy-and-electronic-communications/guidance-on-direct-marketing-using-electronic-mail/how-do-we-comply-with-the-pecr-electronic-mail-marketing-rules/?utm_source=chatgpt.com#HowDoWeUseTheCharitablePurposesSoftOptIn] Organisations mentioned in the episode * Citizens Advice Lewisham [https://citizensadvicelewisham.org.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]: https://citizensadvicelewisham.org.uk/ [https://citizensadvicelewisham.org.uk/] * Vision Care for Homeless People: https://www.visioncarecharity.org/ [https://www.visioncarecharity.org/] * Youth Concern [https://www.youthconcern.org.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]: https://www.youthconcern.org.uk/ [https://www.youthconcern.org.uk/] Be a part of the show We really want to hear what you think of the show and what you'd like us to cover. So if you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future topics, here's how to get in touch... * Use the contact form HERE [https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us] - https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us [https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us] * Send us a voice message HERE [https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising]- https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising [https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising] Produced by The Good Studio [https://thegoodstudio.co.uk/] - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Putting your professional development first - with Dr Mark Hughes and Claire Routley

Personal development and 'soft skills' take centre stage in this fourth episode of Let’s Talk Fundraising, the official podcast from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, the charity that champions a lifetime of impact, a career in fundraising. Host Tim Beynon is joined by guest co-host Charlotte Sherman, Policy Manager at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, along with Claire Routley, Consultancy Director at Legacy Futures, and Dr Mark Hughes, founder of MCH Positive Impact, for a rich conversation about what it really takes to grow as a fundraising professional. The episode covers the barriers fundraisers face in accessing development, from unsupportive managers to squeezed budgets and the creeping demands of virtual working, alongside practical advice on making the case for training investment and understanding how you learn best. At the heart of the discussion is emotional intelligence, and a robust challenge to the term ‘soft skills’. Drawing on Daniel Goleman’s five-element model (self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills), Mark argues that these are in fact the hardest skills to develop, the ones that take a lifetime to master, and the ones AI will never be able to replicate. The group explores where fundraisers typically start from - strongest on empathy and social skills, most in need of development on self-regulation - and what it takes to genuinely improve. The conversation also touches on the particular emotional demands of legacy fundraising, the value of coaching and peer networks, and how to approach the question of career progression, including a gentle challenge to the assumption that moving up always means moving into management. Meet the Guests Claire Routley, Consultancy Director, Legacy Futures Claire has worked across fundraising practice, research and education, and teaches on the Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s own qualification courses. At Legacy Futures she leads consultancy work with a wide range of charities, united by a focus on legacy and in-memory giving. Dr Mark Hughes, Founder, MCH Positive Impact With a background spanning McKinsey, academia and charity leadership, Mark has spent over 20 years helping individuals and organisations develop the emotional intelligence, coaching and leadership capabilities that drive lasting impact. He regularly delivers the Chartered Institute’s Future Leaders programme. Connect with our guests and contributors Charlotte Sherman — https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-sherman-8a3246332/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-sherman-8a3246332/] Claire Routley — https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-routley-9a8b737/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-routley-9a8b737/] Dr Mark Hughes — https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hughes-21495918/  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hughes-21495918/] Be a part of the show We really want to hear what you think of the show and what you'd like us to cover. So if you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future topics, here's how to get in touch... * Use the contact form HERE [https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us] - https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us [https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us] * Send us a voice message HERE [https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising]- https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising [https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising] Produced by The Good Studio [https://thegoodstudio.co.uk/] - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Women in leadership - with Anna Lord and Monwara Ali

Women in leadership takes centre stage in this third episode of Let's Talk Fundraising, the official podcast from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising - the charity that champions a lifetime of impact, a career in fundraising. Host Tim Beynon is joined by guest co-host Claire Stanley - Director of Policy and Communications at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising - for an honest and at times personal conversation about what it really takes for women to reach the top in the fundraising and third sector. Despite women making up 60% of the charity workforce, only 32 of the top 100 charities are led by women. The episode features an in-depth interview with Anna Lord, CEO of Ethiopiaid UK, and Monwara Ali MBE, motivational speaker and women in leadership coach, covering the gender pay gap, the compounded barriers facing women from minoritised ethnic backgrounds, the role of mentorship, and what organisations need to change structurally to open up leadership for women. Drawing on data showing that the gender pay gap in the sector stands at 10.6% - equivalent to nearly £7,000 a year - and that only 6% of charity CEOs identify as Asian or from a minoritised ethnic background, this episode makes a powerful case for why the sector must move beyond conversation and into action. The discussion also explores imposter syndrome, the impact of maternity leave on career progression and the importance of backing yourself - and each other. Meet the Guests Anna Lord, CEO, Ethiopiaid UK Anna has worked for Ethiopiaid for 11 years, stepping into the CEO role almost a year before this episode was recorded. Ethiopiaid was founded in 1989 and operates a partner-led model, supporting 14 Ethiopian charities across areas including maternal health, disability, education, emergency relief, and increasingly, climate change mitigation. The organisation has a team of 12 and Anna is passionate about creating an empowering culture in which every team member feels able to take the lead. Monwara Ali MBE, Motivational speaker and women in leadership coach Monwara has worked across the charity sector for over 32 years, from youth work and women's refuges to Camden local authority and a 15-year stint as CEO of Waltham Forest Community Hub. She is now a motivational speaker, coach and mentor specialising in helping women grow into leadership roles. She also leads mountain-climbing retreats, including trips to Snowdon and Austria, as a tool for building confidence and resilience. Monwara was awarded an MBE in the King's New Year's Honours List 2026. Connect with our guests and contributors Claire Stanley - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairestanleypr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairestanleypr/] Anna Lord - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-lord-ethiopiaid/  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-lord-ethiopiaid/] Monwara Ali MBE - https://www.linkedin.com/in/monwara-ali/  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/monwara-ali/] Be a part of the show We really want to hear what you think of the show and what you'd like us to cover. So if you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future topics, here's how to get in touch... * Use the contact form HERE [https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us] - https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us [https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us] * Send us a voice message HERE [https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising]- https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising [https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising] Produced by The Good Studio [https://thegoodstudio.co.uk/] - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Fundraiser safety and the donor code of conduct - with Antonia Brownlee

Fundraiser safety takes centre stage in this crucial second episode of Let's Talk Fundraising, the official podcast from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising - the charity that champions a lifetime of impact, a career in fundraising. Host Tim Beynon is joined by guest co-host Damian Chapman - Chartered Institute of Fundraising trustee, founder of Fundraiser in the Room [https://fundraiserintheroom.com/], and chair of ROGARE [https://www.rogare.net/] fundraising think tank - for an unflinching conversation about inappropriate donor behaviour, power imbalances in fundraising relationships and why donor codes of conduct are essential to creating safer working environments for fundraisers. The episode features an in-depth interview with Antonia Brownlee, Director of Philanthropy at Scottish Ballet, [https://scottishballet.co.uk/] who shares the organisation's journey in developing and implementing donor guiding principles. Antonia discusses the challenges of addressing inappropriate behaviour, the importance of leadership buy-in, and the positive impact the guidelines have had across the entire organisation - particularly on dancers who engage with donors at events. Drawing on shocking research from ROGARE showing that 51% of fundraisers have experienced behaviour from donors that made them feel physically or mentally unsafe, and that three quarters have experienced sexual harassment at least once in their careers, this episode makes a powerful case for why the sector must act now to protect fundraisers whilst maintaining strong donor relationships. The discussion challenges the long-held assumption that fundraisers must simply tolerate inappropriate behaviour as "part of the job", and demonstrates that implementing clear boundaries actually strengthens organisations rather than weakening them. Guests and contributors Damian Chapman - https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchapmanuk/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianchapmanuk/] Trustee, Chartered Institute of Fundraising Founder, Fundraiser in the Room Chair, ROGARE fundraising think tank Antonia Brownlee - https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonia-brownlee-406119395/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonia-brownlee-406119395/] Director of Philanthropy, Scottish Ballet Be a part of the show We really want to hear what you think of the show and what you'd like us to cover. So if you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future topics, here's how to get in touch... * Use the contact form HERE [https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us] - https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us [https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us] * Send us a voice message HERE [https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising]- https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising [https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising] Produced by The Good Studio [https://thegoodstudio.co.uk/] - thegoodstudio.co.uk

Why fundraiser wellbeing can’t wait - with Alan Clayton

Fundraiser wellbeing sits at the heart of this very first episode of Let’s Talk Fundraising, the official podcast from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising - the charity that champions a lifetime of impact, a career in fundraising. Regular host Tim Beynon and guest co-host Harpreet Kondel - Chair of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising - are joined by Alan Clayton, Chair of Revolutionise International and Research and Creative Director of EmPower Mental Fitness, for a deep, evidence-led conversation about what wellbeing really means in fundraising, and why it is one of the strongest predictors of high performance, retention and long-term sustainability in the sector. Drawing on the largest research project ever conducted into wellbeing and fundraising, Alan explores the early warning signs of burnout, the pressures uniquely faced by fundraisers, and why connection, purpose and resilience matter more than quick fixes or surface-level wellbeing initiatives. The discussion challenges some of the most common myths around stress, resilience and self-care, offering practical insights for fundraisers, leaders and boards alike. Alongside this, Harpreet reflects on the Institute’s strategic priorities and the growing recognition that wellbeing is not a “nice to have”, but a core part of supporting fundraisers to thrive, particularly in challenging economic and social conditions. The episode also shares a personal wellbeing story from within the Institute, highlights practical support available to fundraisers, and rounds up key sector campaigns and opportunities to get involved. Guests and contributors Harpreet Kondel [https://www.linkedin.com/in/harpreetkondel/]- https://www.linkedin.com/in/harpreetkondel/ Chair, Chartered Institute of Fundraising Alan Clayton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanjohnclayton/] - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanjohnclayton/ Chair, Revolutionise International Research & Creative Director, EmPower Mental Fitness Author and wellbeing researcher specialising in fundraising performance Useful links * Chartered Institute of Fundraising https://ciof.org.uk [https://ciof.org.uk] * EmPower Mental Fitness https://em-po.com/ [https://em-po.com/] * Revolutionise International https://www.revolutionise.com/ [https://www.revolutionise.com/]  * UK Giving Report https://www.cafonline.org/insights/research/uk-giving-report [https://www.cafonline.org/insights/research/uk-giving-report]  * Payroll Giving Month: https://www.payrollgivingmonth.com/ [https://www.payrollgivingmonth.com/]  * The Great Gift Aid Hunt: https://www.swiftaid.co.uk/charity/ggah/ [https://www.swiftaid.co.uk/charity/ggah/]  * Chartered Institute of Fundraising and AAW Benchmarking Survey: https://www.aawpartnership.com/fundraising-benchmarks-survey-2026 [https://www.aawpartnership.com/fundraising-benchmarks-survey-2026]  Be a part of the show We really want to hear what you think of the show and what you'd like us to cover. So if you have thoughts on this episode or ideas for future topics, here's how to get in touch... * Use the contact form HERE [https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us] - https://letstalkfundraising.transistor.fm/contact-us * Send us a voice message HERE [https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising]- https://www.speakpipe.com/LetsTalkFundraising Produced by The Good Studio [https://thegoodstudio.co.uk/] - thegoodstudio.co.uk