#62 Starting a social enterprise in a crisis, Michelle Wright founder Cause4

Welcome to episode 62 with Michelle Wright founder and CEO of Cause4 , originally a social enterprise (now a BCorp) that supports charities and philanthropists to develop and raise vital funds. Cause4 is known for its disruptive philanthropy and has so far raised over £50 million for their clients.

Michelle talks about how the 2008 financial crisis provided a catalyst to starting Cause 4, 'going out on her own', 'seeing the employees of Lehman Brothers leaving their building with just their belongings', made me realise that if things were changing in the commercial world they would need to change in the charity sector as well'. 

Cause 4 was up and running and quickly became the darling of the Third Sector winning awards and attracting attention. While Michelle appreciated the attention, and the work that this brought, she didn't like the fact that they weren't always able to deliver on their promises. Eventually Michelle too the brave decision to re calibrated the business and returned it to the original mission, 'work with nonprofits in a deep way and make a real difference to their work'. 

Michelle trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and played the violin professionally. A chartered marketer, manager and fundraiser, Michelle founded Cause4 after leaving the London Symphony Orchestra, where her achievements in private sector fundraising led to her being judged the Best Upcoming Fundraiser at the National Fundraising Awards in 2008.

Since setting up Cause4 Michelle has undertaken major strategic and business development projects, including campaign developments with a number of national charities and consultancy work for FTSE 100 brands developing their cultural sponsorship programmes. Michelle also specialises in philanthropy, having recently developed a number of major philanthropy projects for charities and corporates, and having set up new philanthropic foundations for sports stars, artists and entrepreneurs.