# FairTalk: Reclaiming Ethical Fundraising in a Time of Nonprofit Cuts

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/sponsored_posts/reclaiming-ethical-fundraising-in-a-time-of-nonprofit-cuts/
- Published: 2025-06-03T09:56:14+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**FairTalk returns on 10 June with a conversation that feels more urgent than ever.
As nonprofits and development organisations navigate shrinking budgets, many are
facing difficult choices about what to prioritise and what to let go. Communications,
visibility, and storytelling are often among the first things. to be cut. But when
that happens, organisations risk losing more than just reach. They risk losing trust.**

This FairTalk explores why ethical storytelling should remain central, especially
when resources are limited. It asks: what happens to fundraising, relationships,
and legitimacy when communications are reduced to short-term metrics? And how can
NGOs reclaim storytelling as a strategic, values-aligned tool in times of constraint?

Hosted by [Fairpicture](http://www.fairpicture.org) , FairTalk is a recurring space
to reflect on the ethics and impact of visual communication in the global development
and humanitarian sectors. Fairpicture connects organisations with local photo and
video creators, making it possible to co-produce content that is respectful, dignified,
and locally grounded. Our platform simplifies ethical commissioning, and our FairConsent
app ensures that consent is informed, revocable, and documented, building accountability
into every stage of the storytelling process.

In this 14th edition of FairTalk, we’ll showcase how ethical storytelling and co-
creation are being put into practice, through real-world case studies, shared principles,
and grounded examples from across the sector.

Across the sector, expectations for transparency are rising. Donors, supporters,
and communities want to see not just results, but alignment between an organisation’s
mission and its message. Ethical storytelling helps bridge that gap. It’s not just
about protecting dignity, though that matters immensely. It’s also about strengthening
relationships. In a time when trust is fragile, values-led communications can help
NGOs stand out for the right reasons.

Ethical storytelling might feel like a luxury in today’s climate. But as this FairTalk
will show, it is foundational to long-term resilience. Stories shape how organisations
are seen, how people engage with them, and how sustainable their work can be. The
right story, told well and ethically, builds legitimacy. It shows care, intention,
and respect for those at the heart of the work.

## What You’ll Learn

This session offers practical insight for anyone working at the intersection of 
communications, fundraising, or programme delivery. Together with our speakers, 
we’ll explore:

 * What gets lost when urgency drives storytelling. From dignity to context, we’ll
   unpack the cost of cutting corners.
 * How to uphold ethics while connecting with donors. Values and transparency are
   not weaknesses. They are differentiators.
 * Steps for staying values-aligned on a limited budget. Insights will be relevant
   for communication professionals, fundraisers, and decision-makers alike.

Whether you’re part of a stretched communications team, a fundraiser managing tough
questions, or a programme lead seeking more ethical ways to tell your story, this
hour will offer clarity and direction.

## Meet the Panel

**Riani Singgih** is a documentary producer and director working at the intersection
of identity, belonging, and global storytelling. Her films question how visual media
can shift perceptions without flattening complexity.

**Brahmantyo Putra** is co-founder of Seven10 Media and Stories of Us. Based in 
Indonesia, he leads impact-driven campaigns that build powerful local narratives
while challenging extractive visual practices.

**Kate Moger** brings over 20 years of humanitarian and development leadership across
Africa. Currently with Adeso and the Pledge for Change, she is an advocate for narrative
reform and power-shifting approaches to NGO communications.

**David Girling** is an Associate Professor at the University of East Anglia’s School
of Global Development. His research explores how visual imagery shapes public understanding,
fundraising strategy, and development narratives.

## Why It Matters Now

In a time of pressure, it’s tempting to focus only on visibility, numbers, and quick
wins. But storytelling is not just a marketing function. It is how organisations
represent others. It is how they build relationships and demonstrate accountability.
Ethical communications are not soft ideals. They are smart, strategic choices: ones
that support adaptability, trust, and long-term impact.

FairTalk #14 is an invitation to reimagine storytelling not as an expendable line
in the budget, but as a core part of how NGOs stay relevant, respected, and connected
to those they serve.

**Join us for this timely conversation on the future of ethical fundraising.
Live
on 10 June, 5–6pm CET[Register free to attend](https://fairpicture.org/fairtalk-14/).