Philippa Charles: Foundations and Grantmaking

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of the Philanthropisms podcast we speak to Philippa Charles OBE, Chief Executive of the DFN Foundation, about the role of foundations and what it means to be a good grantmaker. Including: What is required to make core cost funding work from the funder’s point of view?What challenges do current grant application processes present for charities? How can we minimise or overcome these challenges?The relationship between fundraisers and funders (or donors) is often portrayed as somewhat antagonistic. How do we reframe it as a partnership in which both sides are benefitting?How do you say no to funding requests in a constructive way?How can fundraisers build longer-term relationships with funders and donors?What else can donors/funders bring to the table beyond money?How useful is access to a donor/funder’s networks for grantees?Is there too much competition and not enough collaboration in the philanthropy sector? Why is this?It is often argued that a key part of the role of philanthropy is to drive society forward by taking risks and funding things that the state and market cannot – but has philanthropy become too risk-averse? Do we need a better narrative about what it means to “fail” and to “succeed” in philanthropy?Do foundations in general currently give enough each year as a percentage of their overall assets? Is there an argument for encouraging/pushing them to give more?Are their arguments in favour of at least some foundations existing for the long term (or in perpetuity)?  Further Resources:https://dfnfoundation.org/Philanthropisms podcast episodes with Sonal Patel, Sally Vivyan & Oli French, and Kate Symondson. WPM articles: “Why Isn’t All Philanthropy Trust-Based Philanthropy?” and “What’s The Point of Philanthropic Foundations? Part 3: Current Issues”