The Strategic Health Check

Fourteen episodes. One verdict. Seven questions that will change how you think about your fundraising. The diagnosis, the conversation, and the reckoning. Part 3 of the Season One Finale released today.

From a single Macmillan grant to a national institution. This is Liz Darlison MBE, founder of Mesothelioma UK, on what it takes to build a charity that lasts — and the particular kind of courage it takes to let go.

Six million fewer donors. The money is concentrating. And the charities building genuine major donor relationships right now? They're going to be standing in five years. Episode 12 of The Strategic Health Check: why the quiet supporters on your list might be your most valuable donors — and what to do about it, starting this week. Released today in this three-part Season 1 Finale alongside EP13 with Liz Darlison MBE and EP14: The Gaign Goes On.

£564 million in Gift Aid goes unclaimed by UK charities every year. In this episode, Jose Gaign breaks down exactly what Gift Aid is, why so much of it goes unclaimed, and what changed in April 2026 that every charity needs to know about. In a moment of supreme irony, you will find out why a seasoned fundraiser is telling you to “act fast”. The Great Gift Aid Hunt deadline is 24 April 2026. This episode drops the day before, so you’ve got 24 hours to… act fast!

Jose Gaign is joined by Richard Martin and Dr Mark Powell of Against Breast Cancer — a specialist research charity focused on secondary breast cancer, early detection, and prevention. A masterclass in income diversification, non-cash giving, and the power of a highly specific USP in a crowded sector.

Host Jose Gaign sits down with Chantal Spittles, PR and Media Manager of Epilepsy Action, the UK's largest epilepsy charity. The release date of this episode coincides with Purple Day, an international awareness campaign for epilepsy, celebrated annually on 26th March. The goal is to encourage people worldwide to wear purple and support those affected by the condition. In an eye-opening conversation, Chantal outlines the incredible work the charity is doing and what everyone should know about epilepsy. Jose shows his vulnerable side by speaking openly about his own experiences with epilepsy, and Chantal (nearly!) makes him emotional with her infectious passion for the cause. For more information about epilepsy, visit epilepsy.org.uk

The Chancellor has spoken, but did your charity miss the most important line in the Spring Statement? In this episode, Jose breaks down three strategic pivots every health charity needs to make right now to protect their pipeline and fund their future.

Police investigations and high-profile arrests have created a Great Trust Vacuum — and for health charity leaders, that’s an opportunity. Jose Gaign breaks down three strategic moves to turn the UK’s biggest trust crisis into your competitive advantage.

Is your health charity leaving money on the table? Legacy giving is the single biggest source of voluntary income in the UK—a £10.5 billion market by 2050—and it's not just for the giants.In this episode, Jose breaks down exactly how small and mid-sized health charities can tap into this transformative income stream, sensitively and effectively. You'll discover why the conversation doesn't have to feel awkward, how to reframe legacy giving around life and impact (not death), and the five practical, low-cost steps you can take this week to get started.We'll explore the inheritance tax changes driving growth, the language that inspires supporters, and why your personal connection with your community is your ultimate superpower.This isn't about huge budgets. It's about smart strategy. Let's future-proof your funding, together.

In the second half, learn how to launch your monthly giving programme from zero. Design your ask ladder, convert one-off donors, overcome hesitations and build stewardship that keeps supporters giving for 3+ years.

In the first half of this extended episode, we explore why monthly donors are worth 2-3x more than one-off supporters. You’ll learn the economic foundation of monthly giving: 86% retention rates, how 250 monthly supporters generate £45,000 in predictable annual revenue and why consistent income transforms your ability to plan and lead.

Are you a UK health charity leader running on empty? Have you poured so much into your mission that you’ve forgotten to look after yourself? You are not alone.In this special episode of The Strategic Health Check, host Jose Gaign has a courageous and vulnerable conversation about the mental health crisis quietly sweeping the UK charity sector. This isn’t about telling you to ‘do more yoga’; it’s about confronting the systemic pressures that lead to burnout and exploring how we can build a more sustainable future for the people at the heart of our organisations.Drawing on new research and his own experiences, Jose unpacks the five hidden pressures driving this crisis, from the emotional toll of the work to the relentless funding treadmill.Tune in to discover: • Why 85% of small charity leaders have experienced poor mental health in their role. • The ‘Meaning Trap’: How your passion can be turned into a tool for burnout. • The difference between organisational pressures and personal resilience. • Why ‘sustainable impact’ is impossible without ‘sustainable people’.Homework: Conduct a ‘Wellbeing Audit’ of your own organisation. What are you doing to protect your most valuable asset—your people? Start the conversation with your team or trustees this week.Resources: • If you are struggling, please reach out. You can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit MIND at mind.org.uk. • To discuss building a more sustainable fundraising strategy for your organisation, book a free, no-pressure discovery call at gaignstrategic.co.uk/discovery.

Is the UK charity sector facing a breakdown or a breakthrough? In this third New Year’s Day Launch episode of The Strategic Health Check, host Jose Gaign zooms out to examine the perfect storm hitting health charities today—and finds the silver linings that could secure your future.Jose confronts the harsh realities of economic pressure, eroding trust, and burnout, before flipping the script to reveal 5 Game-Changing Opportunities. Learn how to build an "anti-fragile" organization that doesn't just survive the chaos, but gets stronger because of it.Tune in to discover:​The AI Equalizer: How small teams can use AI to punch above their weight (without losing the human touch).​The Collaboration Imperative: Why "merging to survive" is out, and strategic partnership is in.​The NHS Revolution: How to position your charity as a paid partner in social prescribing.​The Great Wealth Transfer: Preparing for the massive shift in legacy giving over the next 20 years.​Homework: Conduct a "Future Fit SWOT Analysis" to benchmark your charity against these trends.Resources:​Download the Free Tool: "Future Fit Charity Scorecard" at gaignstrategic.co.uk/podcast.​Book a Strategy Call: gaignstrategic.co.uk/discovery.

Are you pouring precious resources into a leaky bucket? In this episode of The Strategic Health Check, host Jose Gaign confronts the biggest crisis in fundraising: Donor Retention.With the average UK health charity losing 60% of its donors annually, the cost is financial and psychological. Jose breaks down the anatomy of donor loss, explains the concept of "loss aversion," and reveals why the First 90 Days are your golden ticket to sustainable growth.Tune in to learn:Why 80% of first-time donors never give again.The 5 real reasons donors leave (it’s not "fatigue").How to boost retention from 20% to 60% by securing a second gift.Homework: Why you must "mystery shop" your own donation process today.Resources:Download the Free Guide: "First 90-Day Donor Journey Template" at gaignstrategic.co.uk/podcast.Book a Call: gaignstrategic.co.uk/discovery.

Are you a UK health charity leader feeling trapped in a constant cycle of fundraising anxiety? It’s time to stop scrambling and start strategising. In the premiere episode of The Strategic Health Check, join record-breaking fundraiser and consultant Jose Gaign as he introduces a new way forward.Drawing on his experience from the front lines of fundraising for Marie Curie and the National Deaf Children’s Society, Jose reveals the three new rules of fundraising that will help you thrive in 2026. Learn how to move from reactive survival mode to proactive, sustainable growth.In this episode, you’ll discover:•Why traditional fundraising models are failing UK health charities.•The power of the ‘done-with-you’ consulting approach.•The three foundational pillars of a modern fundraising strategy: Impact, Relationships, and Story.•Actionable ‘homework’ to immediately improve your fundraising effectiveness.This isn’t just another podcast about fundraising theory. This is a practical guide to building a resilient and successful charity from someone who has been in the trenches. Download your free Strategic Fundraising Health Check scorecard at gaignstrategic.co.uk/podcast