Author Archives: carolinefiennes

Nine reasons why Red Nose Day is brilliant and deserves your money(!)

An independent view of Comic Relief & Red Nose Day In short, because they’re very impressive and focused, and do a lot more with your money than you could. What are their goals?   Well, notice first that they have goals. They’re not … Continue reading

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Charitable gifts for the Royal Wedding: analysis of the plan

Prince William &Kate Middleton are asking for donations to a set of charities, rather than wedding gifts. Here’s my analysis of their plan. Good idea For sure the couple don’t need any towels from John Lewis. And since charities’ income falls … Continue reading

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Why don’t we talk about giving?

“I gave some money to a charity the other day, and it was just wonderful. Apparently, my donation helped them to [do something amazing]. I’m so proud and happy.” Do you ever have conversations like this? I don’t. I realised … Continue reading

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More interesting than what charity programmes achieve is what they don’t achieve

Much effort in the charity world goes into understanding what programmes achieve. Which is fine and well and good, but doesn’t indicate anything about whether funding a particular programme was any good. Let’s take an example. In India, there is a … Continue reading

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Does donor education achieve anything? Here’s how to find out

I ran a session this month with The Philanthropy Workshop, the flagship donor education programme invented by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and run in the UK by the Institute of Philanthropy. It’s one of numerous activities by advisors, private banks and universities to make donors better. … Continue reading

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Understanding impact of a corporate giving programme

Giving Evidence is currently evaluating the ‘community projects’ programme of the Guardian News & Media group (i.e., the series of ~12 partnerships which GNM has with voluntary organisations near its London HQ). In this article in the Guardian, I explain … Continue reading

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Charity credit cards: generate 33 x as much for charity anyway!

Lloyds TSB is withdrawing its charity credit cards. Actually this doesn’t matter because you can actually generate MORE money for charities through your credit card. Here’s how: 1. Get a credit card which gives you cash-back on your purchases. The … Continue reading

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Giving Evidence

This site will soon contain a pile of useful evidence to use to inform your charitable giving and other charitable activities. It is run by Caroline Fiennes, a leading thinker about effective charitable giving. For now, see http://www.carolinefiennes.com

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