Philippa Charles: Foundations and Grantmaking

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On 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”