Influencing policy is in the interest of your beneficiaries
Whilst it is well understood that charities should not act in a party political manner, this article ask two straightforward yet complex questions: should charities campaign and if so, how? The authors identify a spectrum of approaches for getting charity messages across – from full blown campaigning to quieter methods. They suggest undertaking a skills audit of the charity board to identify who has the talent needed. With the cost of public service design and delivery becoming more dominant than quality, strengthening the capacity of a charity to make its case becomes of heightened importance.
While campaigning may work for the charitable organisation in ensuring its continuation and sustainability, linking this directly as to how it improves the experience and outcomes for its beneficiaries remains unclear. I presonally question the mandate of many very large “super charities” when they “ride into battle” on issues of national policy which may not event be central to their core purpose.