Power and vulnerability in the charity-funder relationship

by blagravetrustadmin | May 9, 2019 | Listening

A CEO, who wants to remain anonymous, challenges social sector funders to own their power and use it to improve the system. Well this is rather nice. Being anonymous means that I can speak my mind. I don’t have to tiptoe around, terrified of saying the wrong thing and...

The paralysis of power: How outdated structures are stifling foundations

by blagravetrustadmin | May 8, 2019 | Listening

Is the benefactor-beneficiary relationship stuck in the past? And why aren’t foundations shifting their approach to power sharing? Fozia Irfan, Chief Executive of Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation, explores the obstacles and challenges standing in the way...

Does business listen better than the social sector?

by blagravetrustadmin | May 8, 2019 | Listening

David Bonbright, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Keystone Accountability, says that when it comes to listening to the people that count, businesses are doing better than social change organisations. Here’s what we can do about it. I want to tell you a story that...

Does coproduction really empower people?

by blagravetrustadmin | Apr 30, 2019 | Listening

Mark Brown, Development Director of Social Spider CIC and writer in residence at the Centre for Mental Health, discusses the inequalities and empty promises that can arise when service users get involved in producing products and services. Coproduction is a word...

Does coproduction really empower people?

by blagravetrustadmin | Apr 30, 2019 | Listening

Mark Brown, Development Director of Social Spider CIC and writer in residence at the Centre for Mental Health, discusses the inequalities and empty promises that can arise when service users get involved in producing products and services. Coproduction is a word...

Shifting the power dynamic in funding

by blagravetrustadmin | Apr 23, 2019 | Listening

Max Rutherford, Head of Policy at the Association of Charitable Foundations, considers how the funding pot can create a power imbalance – and what foundations and others can do to change it. The collective assets of charitable foundations in the UK enable them to take...