#213 'Leading a successful community foundation', Lori Abert Luke CEO of Acorn Foundation

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. This weeks episode features Malindi MacLean CET at Outward Bound NZ.

As a key influencer and co-founder of Tanck, Angus Crowther brings a wealth of expertise on engaging governments to help deliver charitable missions. Recently, Angus shared his insights on the Purposely, providing invaluable advice for leaders of social sector organisations. His approach is both strategic and practical, making it essential listening for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of government engagement. Angus emphasises the importance of viewing government as a partner rather than an adversary. He notes that many charitable organisations take a combative approach, which can be counterproductive. Instead, he advocates for building strong, positive relationships with government officials, public servants, and quasi-government organisations. This partnership approach is crucial for achieving funding, policy change, and legislative support. Angus outlines several effective strategies for engaging with government: Develop a bespoke strategy tailored to your organisation's needs and the specific government stakeholders you are targeting. Focus on building relationships not just with the government, but also with the opposition and public servants. Consistently communicate your message and be assertive, yet not aggressive, in your approach.       Utilise your organisation's connections to the community to support interactions with politicians. One of the key takeaways from Angus's interview is the need for clarity and consistency in messaging. Organisations should articulate their objectives clearly and ensure they are aligned across all levels of engagement. This includes having a unified message when working as part of a coalition and avoiding mixed signals that can undermine your cause. Angus also highlights some common pitfalls to avoid: Relying on lobbyists, which can be expensive and often ineffective for the nuanced issues of the social sector. Being overly aggressive in your approach, which can alienate potential allies and lead to long-term setbacks.    Failing to follow up on initial meetings and engagements, which can diminish your impact and visibility. Throughout the podcast, Angus shares success stories and practical tips from his extensive experience. One notable example is his work with an early year’s organisation, where creative leave-behinds like a jar of honey helped to cement their message with political stakeholders. He also discusses the importance of preparing tailored materials that speak to the specific interests and ideologies of the stakeholders you are engaging with. For a deeper dive into Angus Crowther's insights on effective government engagement, listen to the full interview on the Purposely Podcast. Whether you're a leader of a non-profit, an NGO, or a purpose-led business, this episode is packed with actionable advice that can help you build stronger partnerships with government and achieve your mission. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in the field. Tune in and discover how you can leverage government engagement to drive positive social and environmental impact. Angus has been on Purposely Podcast before, previously with Tanck co-founder Neil Pharoah and together they have been helping charitable and ‘for purpose’ organisations successfully engagement Governments since February 2021.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. This weeks episode features Josie Pagani CEO at ChildFund NZ.        The big thing that drives Josie is the desire to 'get some things done' and make a positive difference today. This simple concept drives her approach politically and as a charity leader.   Josie talks about the best way to approach international development: “The Pacific wants to power its own future, and we can be part of that.”       “We're trying to keep that personal connection that (child) sponsorship has, but acknowledge the broader needs of communities.”

Welcoming Jenni Giblin, CEO of FundingHQ to Purposely where she shares her founder journey as well as her expertise on fundraising for charities and for-purpose organisations. Jenni Giblin, CEO of Funding HQ, shares her journey as a founder and her expertise in fundraising for charities and purpose-driven organizations. Living on a dairy and sheep farm in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, Jenni splits her time between her business and advising clients across the country. Married to a farmer and a proud mother of five grown children, Jenni balances her life on the farm, weekends mainly, with her work for clients and leading a business. Funding HQ is a platform that helps build fundraising capability and capacity in a cost-effective way. For Jenni, it’s the culmination of an already highly successful fundraising career, having secured over $215 million for a wide range of New Zealand-based projects. Jenni has extensive knowledge of both the public and private sectors and an intricate understanding of fundraising dynamics in each. Based out of her family farm near Waipukurau in Hawke’s Bay, Funding HQ is a purpose-built online capability-building platform developed to educate, support, and provide structure to not-for-profits, local governments, and community organisations needing to secure funding. The platform provides tools and efficiencies to ensure that the fundraising journey is productive and enjoyable. Using a monthly subscription model, Funding HQ offers end-to-end fundraising support across a wide range of funding streams and for a diverse client base. It ensures that charities and organisations can build their own funding capability successfully, helping them become 'funder ready' and think strategically about the outcomes they deliver in their communities and their compelling case for investment. It's all about providing the 'why'—why they would make an ideal partnership for potential funders. Jenni explains, “We coach and support our members to develop a diversified funding plan where they look for a range of funding partners across central and local government, corporates, businesses, philanthropists, trusts, and community fundraising initiatives.” She has a dedicated team at Funding HQ with successful fundraising experience. “They understand the challenges and frustrations that our members face but have the energy and expertise to provide quality support and advice.” For Jenni, Funding HQ has been her destiny. Generating funding is in her blood. Her first taste came while helping Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule raise $7.5 million in external funding for the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in 2005, followed by a Napier city council contract to secure funding for a new stand at McLean Park. After securing more than $175 million in funding over 16 years for projects across the country and witnessing many organisations struggle to secure funding and unable to afford large consultancy assistance, it was time to put her experience to work and launch Funding HQ. “I wanted to help build fundraising capability and capacity in a way that was accessible and cost-effective,” Jenni explains, “so that a wider range of organisations could learn how to access funding efficiently and remain financially viable.” She believes New Zealand’s funding landscape is uneven, with a large proportion of funds distributed to a small number of charities due to their internal resources to access funds and maintain partnerships. Like any new start-up, limited finance availability means Jenni has been “living on the smell of an oily rag” and allocating all her resources into the business. It’s a platform-based business that required significant development investment, and yes, like many others, getting it off the ground has taken longer, and cost more than originally planned.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. This weeks episode features Ian MacQuillin founder of Rogare - The Fundraising Think Tank. The discussion centre's on the challenges of advocating for fundraising and changing public perceptions about charity overheads and salaries. Despite efforts like the Impact Coalition and Dan Pallotta's Charity Defense Council, misconceptions persist that charities are inefficient. The issue is less about information deficit and more about ideological views on charity operations. The conversation suggests developing a new narrative that values fundraising practices rather than just providing facts. It emphasises engaging critiques with ideological arguments and reframing discussions to highlight the importance of professionalism and effective management in charities.

Welcoming Josie Pagani, CEO of ChildFund New Zealand to Purposely where she shares her charities mission as well as her career journey. From her early days in a working-class village in the Cotswolds to her diverse career spanning political activism, film, and social justice, Josie's path to charity leadership has been anything but conventional. Listen now

Welcoming Ian MacQuillin, founder of Rogare - The Fundraising Think Tank, who on a recent trip from the UK joined Purposely host Mark Longbottom for a discussion on the evolving role of fundraising in charitable missions and the profession's future. Ian MacQuillin's journey into fundraising began with a desire to probe deeper into the profession. His foundational belief, "Fundraising at its heart is about asking people to donate money to charity. If you don't ask, you don't get," is embedded in Rogare's mission to challenge and improve the fundraising sector. Rogare, Latin for 'to ask', is an independent fundraising think tank established by Ian in 2014. Initially housed at the Centre for Sustainable Philanthropy at Plymouth University under the guidance of Adrian Sargeant and Jen Shang, Rogare serves as a bridge linking the academic and practitioner branches of the fundraising profession. It functions as an engine that transforms academic theory and research into actionable ideas for fundraisers. Unlike traditional think tanks, Rogare operates through a volunteer network, emphasising the importance of fundraisers having a stake in creating their own knowledge. Ian explains, "It's about looking at the issues we face, asking questions about them, and trying to synthesize new approaches and solutions." Before founding Rogare, Ian's diverse career spanned various sectors, including journalism covering topics from waste management to the music industry and police affairs. This eclectic background provided him with a unique perspective and skillset to approach the fundraising sector innovatively. Ian reflects, "I never stayed in one sector, which allowed me to bring a broad range of insights into each new role." The fundraising sector faces numerous challenges, particularly its status as an emerging profession. Ian notes, "The jury is out about whether fundraising is a profession or not. There's no defined pathway into fundraising, no body of knowledge required to learn, and self-regulation is quite weak." Rogare aims to address these gaps by fostering a culture of critical thinking and professional development. A significant focus of Ian's work at Rogare involves exploring fundraising ethics. He emphasises the importance of balancing the duty to ask for donations with the rights of donors. Ian elaborates, "If you're doing fundraising ethics, you must incorporate the amount of money you could have raised or chosen not to raise. Otherwise, you might be doing data privacy ethics, but not fundraising ethics." Ian envisions a future where the fundraising profession is recognized for its critical role and operates with the highest ethical standards. He continues to advocate for systematic changes and innovations to propel the industry forward, stating, "We need to be setting and leading the agenda, not just following it." Through Rogare, Ian MacQuillin's contributions are shaping the future of the fundraising sector. His commitment to asking tough questions, fostering professional development, and championing ethical practices is paving the way for a new era in fundraising. As the sector evolves, Ian's vision and leadership will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the profession.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. This weeks episode features Dale Corlett CEO of Screen to Script.

Welcoming Malindi Maclean, CEO of Outward Bound New Zealand, where she shares her charity's mission to use the challenge of the outdoors to help young people thrive and her journey from pro cyclist to non-profit leader. The core mission of Outward Bound New Zealand is to empower young people by challenging them to step out of their comfort zones and develop essential life skills. The organization serves around 2,000 students each year, with half of them receiving scholarships. These programs are device-free, promoting mental health and fostering a deeper connection with nature. The organization is dedicated to inclusivity, ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background, can benefit from their transformative experiences. Through rigorous outdoor activities such as sailing, tramping, and kayaking, participants learn the value of teamwork, leadership, and personal responsibility. These experiences build resilience, bolster confidence, and instill a sense of compassion and community. Established in 1962 in Anakiwa, Outward Bound New Zealand operates with the blessing of the local iwi, Te Ati Awa, upholding a tradition of respect and collaboration with indigenous communities. Founded by Kurt Hahn, Outward Bound emphasizes resilience, confidence, and compassion through self-discovery journeys in nature. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination mandates, Outward Bound remains committed to expanding its reach and impact. Future plans include exploring the possibility of a second Outward Bound school in New Zealand, investing in digital systems and infrastructure to improve productivity and efficiency, and engaging with the global Outward Bound network to share knowledge, resources, and best practices. All these efforts are undertaken with a keen awareness of the environmental impact of travel and a continual weighing of its benefits against the necessity of collaboration. Malindi Maclean's path to becoming the CEO of Outward Bound New Zealand is as inspiring as the work she champions. Malindi began her career as a pro cyclist, where she honed her skills in discipline, perseverance, and leadership. These qualities helped her transition into her role in the non-profit sector, where she has become an advocate for youth development. Under her leadership, Outward Bound has not only maintained its high standards but has also adapted to new challenges and opportunities. Malindi's commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for young people is evident in every aspect of her work. Her vision is to see one in every room of school leavers having experienced the transformative power of Outward Bound, equipped with the skills and confidence to navigate life's challenges.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. This weeks episode features Julie Chapman founder & CEO KidsCan and Pet Refuge.