Emma Beeston on advising philanthropists, giving strategically, assessing impact, trends in philanthropy and grantmaking.

Charity Impact

“It’s giving permission sometimes, to not be perfect. There’s this sense that there’s a magic answer. Everybody has all these opinions about what philanthropy should and shouldn’t be, so it can be quite a baffling world if you’re new to it.”

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In this episode of the Charity Impact podcast, I talk to philanthropy advisor Emma Beeston. We talk about the role of the philanthropy advisor, the types of philanthropists Emma works with and the process of helping them to give strategically. We cover some of the thinking around how to choose which charities to support and what makes an effective charity; the pressure of trying to make the perfect decision and the inevitable need to take risks.

We also talk about the debate between trust-based philanthropy and more data driven approaches, trends in philanthropy and grantmaking including the changing attitudes of the younger generation and increased collaboration between grantmakers.

Emma also introduces us to her new book, co-authored with Beth Breeze, ‘Advising Philanthropists: principles and practice’, which they believe is the first ever book specifically on philanthropy advice (more info on this at the bottom of the page).

Scroll down for Emma's biog.

For episode notes, links and other episodes, please visit https://www.kedaconsulting.co.uk/charity-impact-podcast/

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This Podcast is brought to you by KEDA Consulting, where I help charities to increase their income and impact.

The purpose of the Charity Impact podcast is to learn more about how effective charities and individuals achieve social change or social impact. This podcast is for anyone who wants to make a difference, but particularly those who are working for social change / impact; including charity trustees, CEOs, staff, volunteers, advisors, philanthropists and public service professionals.

Emma Beeston, Philanthropy Advisor

Emma is an independent philanthropy advisor to philanthropists, families and foundations. Her advice guides donors from exploring their values through to implementing their giving to achieve their philanthropic goals. Emma specialises in supporting those new to philanthropy and facilitating multi-generational giving. Prior to her current role, Emma worked for grant-making organisations including Children in Need, Lloyds Bank Foundation and Comic Relief.

Emma co-created with Beth Breeze the Advising Donors module for the Philanthropic Studies master’s degree programme at the University of Kent. She is also a lecturer on the Philanthropy, Grantmaking and Social investment master’s degree programme at Bayes Business School and a trainer with the Association of Charitable Foundations. She wants philanthropy to be accessible to all and is co-founder of a giving circle, Bath Women’s Fund.