# Its no time to alienate the wealthy - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/10/26/its-no-time-alienate-wealthy/ - Published: 2009-10-26T22:30:12+00:00 - Author: Howard Lake Returning from the IFC last week I wondered if a new anti capitalist agenda had begun to gain voice with fundraisers – I really hope not…   Reeling from the global financial meltdown and the fallout from the banking crisis, fundraisers, like everyone else are dealing with recession. We try to balance our passion, even outrage at the injustice that fuels our work and the needs of our causes with donors who can make a difference. Last week saw the global community of fundraisers share their craft rooted in a deep passion for changing the world. ## Advertisement   But the tone of some who took the opportunity to almost burn the odd banker or two felt out of place. It was like they had been let out for the day and had lost perspective. Now don’t get me wrong – if injustice fuels us then there needs to be a place for us to make our point. But turning every rich person into beelzebub is frankly stupid.   The generation of wealth is critical to fundraising. Its at the heart of philanthropy. So lets remember – wealth is good. How people get it is for debate and conscience. Our job is connecting wealth with injustice – the cause with the donor – the donor with the cause. Thats what we do. Alienating those who can make such an impact is indulgent, out of place and down right dangerous.   * **[Hans Wolters steps down as Resource Alliance CEO](https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/04/07/hans-wolters-steps-down-resource-alliance-ceo/)**( 7 April 2010) * **[Stranded travellers still find time to fundraise](https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/04/20/stranded-travellers-still-find-time-fundraise/)**( 20 April 2010) * **[New CEO and Chair appointed at Resource Alliance](https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/04/23/new-ceo-and-chair-appointed-resource-alliance/)**( 23 April 2010) ## Comments ### By: ianclark - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/10/26/its-no-time-alienate-wealthy/#comment-3794 - Published: 2009-10-28T09:54:08+00:00 I thoroughly agree that we should be nurturing potential wealthy donors, not alienating them. The latest CAF/NCVO annual UK Giving Survey shows that “In 2008/09, 2 million people (7% of donors) gave more than £100 per month, but these donors generated almost half (49%) of the total amount given to charity. The work of many charities is clearly reliant on these higher-level donors.” Philanthropists (rich donors) have always been the real lifeblood of charities. During their working lives they may not be able to spare much time to help, but they can spare money. Get them on-side, and providing your charity is doing a good job, they will help secure your future. ### By: admin - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/10/26/its-no-time-alienate-wealthy/#comment-3795 - Published: 2009-11-23T11:22:40+00:00 You’re right, Stephen, that of course all rich people are not ‘bad’ (whatever one might interpret that to mean). There’s no doubt that a number of wealthy individuals contribute a valuable share of the income of many UK charities, and we should be grateful for that and work to ensure that continues and even expands. I was not at the IFC so wasn’t party to the ‘anti-capitalist’ views you mention. However, I welcome a critical (in the positive sense of the word) approach by fundraisers to the source of their charity’s income. I think it is encouraging that fundraisers shared their frustrations and talked frankly with their colleagues at an event that is attended primarily by other fundraisers, rather than major donors. I’d hope fundraisers have a very clear idea that, while major donations from senior bankers should be accepted gratefully, the fundraiser’s charity has every right to criticise a bank that has, for example, collapsed owing them £5 million or more from their savings. Indeed, not to see the connection would be poor business practice by the fundraiser. Oxfam GB appropriately pointed out in April 2009 at [Bank bailout could end poverty for 50 years – Oxfam tells G20](http://www.oxfam.org.uk/applications/blogs/pressoffice/?p=4078) that “The $8.42 trillion promised by rich country governments to bailout banks would be enough to end global extreme poverty for 50 years and a massive step towards ending it forever.” It wasn’t spent on addressing poverty or on investing in countering climate change, or eradicating killer diseases. The current financial crisis is having and will continue to have a devastating affect on the beneficiaries that fundraisers work to help. I believe that the public bail- outs, the drop in public donations, and the drop/losses in grantmakers’ and charities assets, will for many years severely impact fundraisers’ ability to change the world. That surely is a topic worthy of debate, both formal and informal, at an international fundraising conference. Wealth is indeed good and essential for fundraising for charities. The reckless and self-seeking pursuit of it by clearly identifiable individuals in senior positions at financial institutions is clearly not. Which is why I support a campaign like [http://www.changeyourbank.info](http://www.changeyourbank.info) If successful, it could limit the philanthropic abilities of some wealthy people. Generally that’s not a good idea, but as someone who wants to see fundraising and charities prosper for the next 50 years, I think it’s a very sound business idea.