Charity experts spotlight trending topics in latest podcast series

Leading law firm for business Muckle LLP has launched a new podcast series to highlight the latest trends across the voluntary sector.

Leading law firm for business Muckle LLP is lining up charity experts to feature in its new podcast series Charity Matters, which is dedicated to exploring the most talked about topics within the charity sector.

The podcast series, hosted by Muckle LLP’s specialist lawyers, delves into crucial subjects and trending topics, covering everything from financial challenges to cryptocurrency donations and sustainability.

In each episode, Muckle’s legal experts will discuss important matters with guests who have first-hand experience of topics under discussion.

The first episode features Samantha Pritchard, partner in Muckle LLP’s charities team; senior associate Alison Jones; and Charlotte Campbell, director of fundraising and operations at the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (Chuf).

Chuf supports children and babies throughout the North who are diagnosed with heart conditions, and was among the first UK charities to accept cryptocurrency donations.

In the episode, Charlotte talks about the charity’s involvement with cryptocurrency, detailing the process of accepting crypto donations and the accompanying risks.

She also highlights the advantages of cultivating a diversified income stream and its role in the charity’s growth and current success.

Charlotte says: “A huge thanks to both Samantha and Alison for inviting me on the podcast to discuss Chuf’s experience with cryptocurrency donations.

“We’ve been accepting cryptocurrency donations for more than six years now, and it’s becoming a growing focus area for charities across the UK.

“Despite being a small charity, we pride ourselves on our forward-thinking approach and resilience in the crypto world.

“Hopefully, this discussion will be beneficial for other charities considering crypto donations and different fundraising avenues.”

Samantha adds: “Our discussion with Charlotte was incredibly enlightening and provided useful insights into what charities need to think about if they are considering accepting crypto donations, as well as how to form wider fundraising strategies to raise vital funds for their cause.

“The primary goal of our new Charity Matters podcast is to hear first-hand from guests who have direct experience of topical issues, and to add legal and governance insight to the topics under discussion.

“Podcasting is a great way for us to engage with our audience and share our expertise more widely.”

Chuf works closely with The Giving Block, an online, not-for-profit US-based platform that enables the charity to convert cryptocurrency donations into traditional currency.

Charlotte says: “We’re fundraising experts, not cryptocurrency experts, and The Giving Block makes it easy for charities to fundraise in this way.

“A donation is made in cryptocurrency, we receive it in cryptocurrency and instantly turn it into money, so we aren’t making any decisions about when to buy and sell.

“We spent a lot of time researching as to whether this was the right thing for us.

“We had to make sure our financial governance was in place and relevant to cryptocurrency, and documentation, such as our donations policy, had to be updated.

“But it became clear cryptocurrency could revolutionise the way we fundraise, despite the risks and restrictions.

“It was always in our plan to diversify our income, this just sped up the process and helped us bridge the gap between the conventional fundraising we continue to do and other methods, of which cryptocurrency is one.”

Charlotte says she’s seen the number of enquiries from other charities wanting to learn more increase over the last few years, as publicity around cryptocurrency donations has increased.

She adds: “I would encourage anyone thinking about this approach to do their research and decide whether this is the right space for you.

“This is a strategic direction for your charity to take, so you need to make sure you have internal buy-in.”

Episodes of the Charity Matters podcast will be released every other month.

 

For legal support for charities, contact Samantha Pritchard, partner in Muckle LLP’s charities team, at samantha.pritchard@muckle-llp.com or call 0191 211 7905.