Why Churches and Charities Need to Talk about Money

In the first episode of this season on ‘Making Things Happen: Churches, Charities and Money’, Simon and Bex discuss why money is a key issue for churches and charities and why they need to be able to talk about money openly and confidently.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Simon and Bex introduce themselves [00:48] and explain that the focus in this season will be less on personal money matters and more on dealing with faith and finance issues from a church or charity perspective. [02:39]
• Simon starts off the discussion by asking Bex why it is necessary to talk about money topics relating to churches and charities in a different way from how we talk about financial matters that affect individuals or businesses. [04:37]
• In response to a question from Simon, Bex describes her expectations of a charity or church and, in particular, comments that she would anticipate that they will use her money ‘to do something good in the world’. [06:39]
• When asked by Simon why churches or charities should ensure that they talk about money, Bex speaks about the importance of using good communication to build trust and goodwill in pursuit of a shared interest. As Simon puts it, we give money to churches and charities to do a job for us that we can’t do ourselves, and it is therefore important for us to receive feedback on the progress that is being made to achieve our shared goals. [07:48]
• A key recommendation from Simon to churches and charities is to communicate with their supporters how the money that has been received has led directly to hoped-for, good outcomes being accomplished. [09:19]
• Bex comments that talking regularly and openly about money can help churches and charities to demonstrate that their ‘whole image’ does ‘add up’ and that they are consistently acting with complete integrity, as desired and required by their supporters. [10:07]
• Because of the tremendous contribution that charities make to society, they are given ‘registered’ status and certain tax advantages by the Government, but these also come with various legal responsibilities and a requirement to be accountable and to report fully and accurately (to HMRC and also to The Charity Commission or Scottish Charity Regulator) on their activities. [10:59]
• Bex and Simon discuss the roles and responsibilities of the trustees of a charity [14:25], including the very important contribution that they, along with the staff of a charity or church, make by communicating with professional / legal bodies, with those working or volunteering for the charity, and also with supporters of the charity. [15:58]
• In a discussion of key principles for communicating to supporters on behalf of a charity, emphasis is placed on the importance of explaining clearly and in detail how donations have been turned into positive outcomes, such as volunteer activities. [21:28] Being open and proactive is also recommended: for example, by proffering answers to key questions rather than waiting for those questions to be asked. [22:41] It is also noted that telling a variety of relevant and uplifting stories is a great way of illustrating how a charity has been able to make a real difference to people’s lives and experiences. [23:32]
• Simon invites questions and feedback from listeners. [25:32]
• Episode 2 of this season will consider ‘Key Principles and First Steps’ for charities and churches that are at an early stage in their development. [26:14]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to whereyourtreasureis@freerangepodcasting.co.uk while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

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