Supporters don't owe you anything

So, we know that there is a lot of pressure on trusts and foundations currently, and we've seen the likes of the City Bridge Trust and the Schroder Charity Trust pause their giving to new applicants recently amongst others. I've read quite a few responses to this news, and honestly, I'm a bit shocked.

As fundraisers should we be concerned? Yes. Does it make our lives harder? Yes. Should we be angry with them for shutting up shop? Well, no.

The charitable sector is an eco-system, and trusts and foundations play a vital role within it. Their support is essential for our collective survival, so yes it's concerning when they close, pause, or re-focus. It's important to remember though that they are under no obligation to support your cause. Most exist to provide specific targeted support, they spur innovation, they support us to cope with emerging issues, and help us to build financial resilience in quite a tempestuous world.

Blaming them for the closure of charities though? I'm not sure that's a good use of energy. Trusts and foundations are just one source of income, and if the trend continues then yes we'll have more difficulty generating income from them, but is that not a great argument to review your fundraising strategy?

And thinking more broadly about your fundraising mix, it's important to remember that supporters don't owe you anything. You have a product, a way for them to feel like they've made a difference in the world, like they have a voice, like their time is well spent. And y'know what, some people will just not care, and that's absolutely fine. We can only control what we can control, and recognising when we need to pivot could just be your secret weapon.