The John Griff Column: The big business of charity
There are phrases and proverbs for just about everything within the human condition – wise words of caution, encouragement, consideration or of action. Many can be wrangled round to a myriad of applications – such is the case with ‘Charity Begins at Home’. In the past week there’s been plenty of evidence of it, but could we be making more of it and with greater benefit to our wider society?
It starts with a deserving cause – one that can be easily related to and in need of support (or even the jeopardy of survival). Hence sponsored bake-offs, silences, car washes and the like spring up. Sponsorship needs to bring with it some kind of benefit for the sponsor – so a mouth-watering cake, peace and tranquillity for an hour or – briefly - a clean car. You can even donate the sponsorship of a donkey or a leopard for their respective charities as a Christmas present to a loved one. Along the way the organisations being supported also have a chance to spread the word of what they do and put their case for ongoing help. Increasingly some pitch for bequests in end-of-life wills from a warmed-up audience via email, letter or social media. It’s no surprise that daytime TV screens many appeals for help – often by global charities who can afford the commercial airtime.
But what about that evidence here within the past week?
On Tuesday there was reporting of a group of 50 cyclists which over four days had pedalled 350 miles from Northampton to Paris in order to raise money for the Hope Centre. A provider of support to those struggling with homelessness and hardship, it’s now in its 50th year. The cyclists included former Saints coach Jim Mallender and player Nick Beal, as well as University of Northampton lecturer Adrian Pryce. Between them they raised over £50,000 from individual sponsorship and local business. The ride’s income represents a significant contribution to the Hope Centre’s annual running costs, so expect a repeat in 2025.
Likewise, the needs of the Cynthia Spencer Hospice. For years, Cycle 4 Cynthia has called for as many riders as it can reach to take on the roads of Northamptonshire. Supported by the owners of Althorp, Holdenby House and Lamport Hall, the hospice’s fundraising team makes its annual appeal against a tide of ever-rising costs. In the main it’s a hugely successful event with cyclists of all shapes, sizes and ability being propelled by good intention. But this year and for the first time in over 20 years, the event fell foul of bad weather. With literally two hours’ notice the event had to be cancelled, such was the ferocity of the rain which had fallen overnight and continued to fall during the morning. It was a bitter blow on the day and one with far-reaching implications. At a stroke CCH’s premier fundraising event vanished, meaning that anticipated income of around £40,000 was lost. The event couldn’t be rescheduled, so the hospice team now has to find ways to make up the shortfall and deliver against the ongoing need for fundraising. Cycle4Cynthia is planned for the 21st September next year and will run from Althorp with prayers offered up for less inclement weather.
Is there enough largesse to go round these days though? Have rises in the cost of living impacted on our ability to support those in need or otherwise falling through society’s net?
Last week the NNBN Business awards ceremony took place at the Mercure Hotel in the town centre. NNBN is a countywide organisation bringing a variety of benefits to its business and charity members. As with many such events there was a nod in the direction of those less well off and those who bring support to them via a silent auction and a dedicated Charity of the Year award category. In a room of over 300 people the auction raised over £1000, which was in turn bolstered by a donation of a further £1000 by NNBN itself. The award title and money went to Community Law Northampton. It provides independent, free advice and representation in welfare benefits, energy efficiency, debt, housing, and immigration. Last year its income was just over £1.1 million – it’s expenditure a fraction higher. Roughly half of the income came from government contracts and grants, but is there a guarantee that funding will continue to be available after any budget announcements later this month? It would be reckless to make assumptions so with the state of the economy being as the Chancellor says it is - and before she opens her red box in the House of Commons.
Is it all about money though?
Last year, Works4U - a social enterprise which helps businesses to support communities through volunteering, estimated the value of voluntary work across England and Wales to be worth about 15.5% of gross domestic product. GDP in 2022 was estimated at £2.2 trillion – so the value of volunteering came in at £324 billion. Even if the estimate is wrong by up to 50%, the numbers are still colossal and give an indication of the compassion and goodwill in the wider community. Works4U has called for a new government department for the sector in its report. But what would it do? The charity operating the county’s air ambulance service (and others) prefers not to be funded through the government or NHS because of what it sees as the red tape and targeting which would come with it. In 2022 it received over £10 million in donations and legacies, with a further £23 million coming from its various shop and trading activities. They might have a point in going it alone.
Ask the Northamptonshire Community Foundation what small community groups and charities do with the grants it makes and it will describe a kind of multiple multiplier effect which transforms relatively modest cash amounts of £3000 - £5000 into substantially greater value from volunteer time and activity. Small numbers of people manage to benefit substantially more people too. How? Simply by knowing what they’re doing and who they’re doing it for, presenting a strong case for support and then making the money work – hard.
Maybe the Chancellor could learn a few grass root community lessons in the next couple of weeks.