Sustainability, dignity in delivery, ChatGPT & mobile giving

With so much happening at the moment, it's hard to keep abreast of the many interesting things being written, researched and pondered in the sector. This is why we're resurrecting a popular Lime Green feature called Unconventional Wisdom: a periodic digest of some of the more interesting perspectives and niche ideas being published by fundraisers, experts and other bloggers.

If you haven't got time to trawl Twitter on a regular basis then Charlotte, our Fundraising Consultant, has done the hard work for you...

How Can We Ensure Dignity in Our Delivery?
Written by Ben Roberts and published on NFP Research
The impacts of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have resulted in record levels of people accessing food banks, hygiene banks and other charitable services. Often, accessing these services goes hand-in-hand with social stigma and feelings of shame, particularly for those who might already be using extra services, or turning to charitable support for the first time. At a time when more and more people are having to turn to extra support, this blog outlines the need the need to encourage dignity of beneficiaries, and how certain charities are already doing this.

Charities can flourish by putting sustainability at the heart of their work
Written by Harriet Lamb and published by the Directory of Social Change
More and more funding applications now include a tick box or one-sentence answer on how/whether your organisation will be including environmental sustainability in the project or services. Whilst it may be tempting – particularly with a lengthy application - to fob this question off with a simple pledge to replace plastic plates with paper ones, this article offers more ideas and demonstrates how it can benefit your organisation long term.

ChatGPT and fundraising – what do you need to know? (part one)
Written by Emily Casson, Deniz Hassan & Matt Smith and published on SOFII
There’s been a lot of media attention recently on what ChatGPT can do, not only good and bad, but odd too (ever wanted to read a modern sci-fi story in Shakespearean language?!) Three knowledgeable fundraisers give their opinions on what ChatGPT could mean for the future of fundraising, and how it can be a useful resource. Reassuring hint: we’re not all about to lose our jobs to AI!

What disintermediation means for the charity sector
Written by Ben Roberts and published on NFP Research
After a trying few years with one crisis after another, one positive has been the response from the general public, and their willingness to help through volunteering, donating physical items, or raising money via personal appeals. This method of fundraising, by cutting out the middle-person (or charity) and donating directly to an individual/cause, is known as disintermediation. The dangers of disintermediation, however, have significant implications for the charity sector, as outlined here.

The Ultimate Mobile Giving Guide For Non-profit Fundraising
Written by Lindsey Baker Bower and published by Donor Box
You may have recently attended one of our fundraising training courses (excellent choice!) but mobile giving isn’t particularly an area we cover. Whilst difficult to predict the success rate for each organisation, mobile giving can be an easy and efficient way to generate income. This guide explores how and why to start a mobile giving fundraising initiative in your organisation. Please note this article is US based, so not everything will be the same for the UK sector (for example, some stats may be different), but an interesting read regardless!
Seen or written a good article that we should feature next time? Let me know.

Seen or written a good article that we should feature next time? Get in touch to let us know.