When does 1 ≠ 1

There is a mathematical ‘proof’ that does the rounds every now and again which ‘proves’ that 1 = -1

It goes like this

Of course this is an incorrect proof. 1 ≠ -1

But in the world of charities and social enterprises 1 does not always equal 1

Money for a charity or social enterprise to achieve it’s purpose is always hard to find. Fundraising is a skill, a profession, and the people who do it, whether that's the CEO in a small charity or a dedicated fundraiser in a larger charity, are incredible. They work hard to get across the purpose of the organisation, to demonstrate it’s value, it’s impact, to convince someone to give them money to achieve their purpose.

All fundraising is hard. Some of the most difficult can be securing funds from government or the public sector. We’ve all heard the responses, “great project, but we just don’t have the money”. I’m writing this on a (blisteringly cold) Friday night in February. The night is unimportant, but the month actually has some relevance. Because at this time of year, public sector money doesn’t just trickle, sometimes it flows.

With the financial year ending, there is often a mad rush to get funds out, and at least some of this is directed towards charities and social enterprises.

Money for a charity to achieve it’s purpose is always hard to find, and yet every year, around this time either via National Government or Local Government, when repeatedly told for the previous 9 months that…