Filtered Feed #6 - Dovetailing Equity with Enterprise
The Business of Charities
Ever Wonder Where Your Donations Go?
Pod #6 is Out Now!
Dovetailing Equity With Enterprise: The Business of Charities
What’s Inside This Episode?
This week, Filter Feeders explore the evolving landscape of charitable giving, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and philanthropy. What does it take to run a charity? What makes some fundraiser campaigns more succesful than others? How do we make sure that our dollars reach the right people in need? Does your business need to be profitable to be making regular donations? These are some of the questions we ask this week's guest, Kirrily Graham.
About Our Guest
Kirrily Graham is a trailblazer in CSR, social enterprises, and transformative philanthropy. As the founder of Dovetail Social Enterprises, she works with small to medium-sized businesses (SME) to develop strategic partnerships with grassroots charities, ensuring that funding goes beyond traditional donations and into long-term capacity-building and sustainability. Her work empowers both businesses and charities, aligning corporate values with meaningful impact.
Why This Topic?
Charitable giving is something most of us want to engage in, but how do we know if our donations are truly making an impact? As big or small of a philanthropist you may be, do you know what it takes to run a charity? The hidden challenges and myths surrounding nonprofit funding? Do you know how your donations are used, how CSR is evolving, and how grassroots organizations can create sustainable change? If you’ve ever wondered whether your generosity is making a real difference—or if there’s a smarter way to give—this episode is packed with insights, strategies, and eye-opening truths you won’t want to miss.
"Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need" — Kahlil Gibran
Key Takeaways
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Challenges in Running a Charity
Many charities struggle due to poor business management, reliance on donations, and limited marketing capabilities. The charity sector in Australia is highly regulated, yet myths persist about inefficiencies and fund mismanagement. -
The Savvy Donor
Consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, demand authentic CSR efforts from businesses. Large-scale charity events like Movember and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge gained massive traction due to strategic marketing and viral engagement. Seasonal giving peaks at end-of-financial-year tax deductions and Christmas charity campaigns. -
CSR? ESG? SMEs?
Corporate Social Responsiblity is often misunderstood by SMEs but is integral to corporate branding and consumer trust. Many large corporations use CSR for PR purposes, but Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) frameworks enforce accountability in larger organizations. -
Personal Giving & Ethical Considerations
Many people hesitate to donate due to trust issues; resources like Charity Navigator can help vet organizations. Alternative giving methods, such as volunteering or supporting social enterprises allow for ethical contributions beyond traditional donations.
Looking Forward
When we make charitable giving proactive and not reactive, we can donate to causes that align with our values, ensuring our contributions to partners are measurable, transparent, and transformational.
Donate to a Good Cause
| Light For Orphans | Lara from Deir Al Balah in Gaza is committed to providing orphans with food, clothing, and other essentials
| Humane World for Animals | A leader of the animal protection movement, tackling the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to drive permanent change and create a better world for all animals around the globe.
| Just Peoples | Just Peoples works with local leaders and implements solutions in vulnerable communities, helping them lead a self-determined life free of poverty.
Additional Resources
| Dovetail Social Enterprises | Partner with grassroots charities that align with your business' core values.
| TED Talk by Dan Pallotta | The way we think about charity is dead wrong
| Uncharitable | A documentary that challenges all of our beliefs about giving
Engage With Us
What cause is nearest to your heart? We'd love to hear your thoughts on charities and giving!
See you at our Discord server, The Filtration Station.
For any queries, reach out to us at [email protected]
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Tune In, Filter Out & Fuel Your Generosity!
Mr. Slide {Vin}
Filter Feeders