Viewpoint

Take a look at the latest opinion pieces from the Cause4 team.

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AI and Chat GPT in Fundraising – its role, uses and implications

22nd May, 2023 | By Lucy Pratt

With technology continuing to embed itself in all aspects of our lives at great speed, much has been written about AI technology, and how this is likely to facilitate the biggest shift in our working practices since the industrial revolution.

This week, OpenAI chief executive (and the inventor of Chat GPT) Sam Altman lauded the new generation of digital chatbots for their potential to “improve nearly every aspect of our lives”. 

However, his positivity also came with words of warning, “if this technology goes wrong, it can go quite wrong, we want to work with the government to prevent that from happening.”

With every great revolution, comes trepidation, but looking at such technology through the eyes of a fundraiser, we need to ask whether this is the future of fundraising, or merely a tool to support us in our journey to create positive change? In a series of articles, we aim to open up discussion and debate on this topic.

Topics: 
Current interest
Fundraising & philanthropy

Being a Charity Chair: The Hallmarks of Good Leadership

24th April, 2025 | By Thomas Williams

We explore some of the key qualities and skills that define a great Chair.

Insight from Leaders | International Leadership Week 2023

15th March, 2023 | By Lucy Pratt

At Cause4, our Trustee Leadership Programme has allowed us to connect with and guide some brilliant leaders over the years; this work has been a consistent reminder of the energised, ambitious minds that continue to evolve leadership practice. As part of International Leadership Week 2023, we’ve collated advice, learnings and other musings from some of these individuals, who each have a distinct experience of leadership. 

Topics: 
Governance & trusteeship
Support and advice

Pick of the Month – March 2023

1st March, 2023 | By Lucy Pratt

With February passing as swift as ever, we're back with March's Pick of the Month. This month features a Trustee from one of the country's leading Cancer charities, an entrepreuner finding innovative ways to engage with disdavantaged communities, a charity leader building vital skills for employability for individuals across Leeds and, finally, a Senior Fellow with diverse experience across the arts now working to support cultural output in Margate, Kent. They each have something distinct to say, but they share the same innovative and enthusiastic spirit. Do read on!

Pick of the Month – February 2023

1st February, 2023 | By Lucy Pratt

February's Pick of the Month is really diverse – from a social entrpreneur in green tech to trustees empowering individual autonomy. Our Senior Fellow talks about theatre and its emegrance post-COVID, and we hear from a charity leader who has made (and is making!) brilliant change in the environment sector. There's lots to be inspired by here, so do read through this month's picks!

Increasing Board Diversity: Three reasons why it’s important

31st August, 2022 | By Emma Cook

Having a diverse board of trustees is becoming increasingly important for organisations. Here, we explore what diversity means for a board, and why it is something all boards need to be thinking about.

What can we learn from the Kids Company judgement?

10th January, 2022 | By Naomi Chapman

What should Trustees takeaway from the £10million, multi-year case against the Kids Company Trustees?

Topics: 
Support and advice

Giving Tuesday Campaign Round-Up

30th November, 2021 | By Naomi Chapman

The Cause4 team choose their favourite campaigns to mark Giving Tuesday 2021.

Topics: 
Fundraising & philanthropy

Pick of the Month - November 2021

2nd November, 2021 | By Naomi Chapman

As we near the end of another year of uncertainty, this monthly pick features a Trustee of a Young People’s charity, an ingenious social enterprise with a “library of things” and the Chief Executive of Trees for Cities working on not only a national, but international scale.

The End of the Road - What you need to know about shutting down a charity

20th October, 2021 | By Erin Hughes

When you decide to become a charity Trustee, it's unlikely you're thinking about the possibility of closing your charity - unfortunately, however, it isn't uncommon. Here, we guide you through your legal responsibilities if you have to close down a charity, and how to manage the process effectively.

Topics: 
Support and advice

Constructive criticism: what the charity sector can learn from the Fundraising Regulator Complaints Report

13th October, 2021 | By Erin Hughes

The Fundraising Regulator recently published its Complaints Report, which shares insights into the broad trends of fundraising complaints in the UK from April 2020 to March 2021. The aim of the report is to identify areas of fundraising practice which may require improvement or expertise, to help the charity sector to continue fundraising ethically and effectively.

Topics: 
Current interest
Support and advice

Pick of the Month - October 2021

11th October, 2021 | By Erin Hughes

As the nights draw in and the pumpkin spice calls, this month we meet a Trustee campaigning for better rights for Disabled people, a social entrepreneur fighting throw-away culture with luxury sustainable fashion, and a charity leader helping refugees to make new lives as part of their community.

Topics: 
Current interest

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