Fundraisers should forget about the “summer of discontent” of 2015, because “nobody out there remembers”, broadcaster Jon Snow told the Institute of Fundraising Convention this morning.
“You all talk about the problems of 2015, but you shouldn’t,” Snow said. “Nobody out there remembers now. The world has completely changed and changed for the better.”
Snow said the world was a completely different and better place to when he first worked for a charity in the 1970s.
But he warned about the shrinking of the state and subsequent pressure on the voluntary sector, which he said is helping feed the rise of populism. He said this created a challenging environment for fundraisers.
Speaking at the opening plenary of the Institute of Fundraising Convention in London this morning, journalist and broadcaster Jon Snow said the pressures being placed on fundraisers and the sector as a whole was helping fuel the rise of populism both in the UK and abroad.
“It’s a really challenging environment for us as fundraisers and volunteers,” said Snow. “The problem we’re up against is that the state is retreating and the voluntary sector is being asked to fill in all the voids.
“While we’re very good at filling certain societal voids, we’re not so good at running nationwide systems that someone has to run and finance at some stage.”
Snow used the National Health Service as an example, saying the voluntary sector is being expected to step in and fill gaps being left in services by the state.
“Charities are great at intersecting with areas of the NHS, but we find ourselves having to do more and more and more and that is a real challenge for the sector,” said Snow.
Snow also said that a shrinking state leads to a public feeling of “alienation with the political classes”. He said this was one of the key reasons for the election of Donald Trump and the rise of Marine Le Pen in France. However, despite the problems being faced both at home and abroad, Snow said the recent public response to Grenfell Tower was a reason for fundraisers to be optimistic.
“The public response to the Grenfell Tower disaster almost brings tears to your eyes. People bought enough supplies and gifts to help with a disaster many times larger - one that might have affected thousands of people.
“There was a football pitch near the tower that was completely stacked high with gifts and supplies. I also know that the digital fund has already raised over £5m.”
