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Welcome To The Thinking Space
This is where we unpack the operational pressure points charities are dealing with right now.
You will find practical pieces on volunteer strain, stakeholder noise, data and insight, and how to make people-led systems visible before you add tools or automation.
Whether you’re here to learn, sharpen your strategy, or borrow a good idea or two, we’re glad you found us. So grab a coffee and dive in.
Fund capacity, not tech: Building a business case for AI in charities (Part 3/4)
"We can't afford it." If that’s your Board's reaction to AI, you might be pitching it wrong. In this final installment, learn how to reframe AI costs from 'IT overhead' to 'service capacity' to build a business case that Treasurers and Trustees will back
1 day ago6 min read
From Hype to Help: Responsible AI Adoption for Charities 2026 (Part 1/4)
How can charities move past the AI hype and start delivering real impact? It's the biggest question in our sector, and it requires a thoughtful, human-centered approach. Get your practical guide here.
1 day ago11 min read
The 2026 Charity Impact Measurement Tool Cheat Sheet: Track Results Without the Admin Overload
Want to track impact without the admin overload? This practical guide to impact measurement tools for charities shows how to pick one tool per bucket, keep data light, and turn stories and stats into decisions. Human-first, trustee-ready, and designed to make change visible, trusted and weekly.
Jan 55 min read
The Hardest Conversation: Charity Service Closure
Struggling with a service closure decision? Get a step-by-step guide for charity leaders on how to prepare, facilitate the conversation, and manage the transition safely.
Dec 18, 20256 min read
Strategic 'Retire & Renew': A Charity Service Portfolio Review for Leaders
Charity leaders: Master the 'Retire & Renew' strategic service portfolio review. Learn to optimise impact, responsibly close services, and make courageous decisions for your non-profit's future.
Dec 11, 20253 min read
Service lifecycle management for charities: 4 stages to improve service delivery
Charities are under pressure to do more with less. This piece introduces a simple four-stage service lifecycle to help you design, improve and retire services in a way that’s kinder to staff, volunteers and the people you support.
Oct 28, 20258 min read
Co-production that works: guardrails, gates & gains for charity research
Make co-production work in real charity settings. This guide shows how governance, safeguarding and simple stage gates keep projects moving and decision-ready. Learn to set 3–5 criteria, book decision dates, name owners, and design dual outputs; a board brief for leaders and a community-chosen product.
Oct 9, 20253 min read
Charity governance: what UK and US trust data are really telling us
What does 2025 trust data reveal about nonprofit governance? UK and US findings highlight rising expectations, hidden risks, and practical steps boards can take now. Learn how to strengthen board decision-making, improve transparency, and prepare for AI-driven change without overloading trustees.
Aug 7, 20257 min read
Data collection methods for charities: quick cheat sheet
Not all data is created equal. This quick guide helps you choose the right method, surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, or document review, to match your question and context. Clear, ethical choices lead to better insights, stronger trust, and smarter decisions
Jul 20, 20252 min read
Feedback futures for charities: turn input into priorities
Use token voting to turn many ideas into a ranked, defensible shortlist. Inclusive, low-tech, and easy to explain to boards and funders.
Jun 25, 20252 min read
Feedback fasting for charities: pause intake, process deeply
How a short, planned “data-diet” weeks can help charities close the loop, reduce overload, and turn existing feedback into action, without silencing anyone.
Jun 11, 20252 min read
Is your charity ready for decentralised evaluation?
A quick sense-check for charities that like the idea of decentralised, community-led impact but are not sure they are ready. See the 5 signs you are ready and what to fix first.
Apr 22, 20252 min read
The future of impact: decentralised evaluation for charities by 2035
What will impact measurement look like in 2035? This practical guide explores the shift toward decentralised, community-led evaluation. Offering future-ready ideas you can start using today to ease pressure, deepen trust, and capture what really matters.
Apr 17, 20257 min read
5 reasons your impact measures feel like a burden (and how to fix them)
Charities collect data but do not always see change. Here are 5 common reasons impact measures aren't working and simple ways to make them more useful.
Mar 10, 20253 min read
Impact measures health check: how healthy is your charity’s data?
A quick, charity-first health check for your impact data. Answer 10 yes/no questions to see what’s working, where “expensive noise” has crept in, and what to tidy first.
Mar 8, 20252 min read
How to stop unintentional "impact-washing" in your charity: impact measurement made simple
A short, people-first guide to stop unintentional impact washing in charities. Five quick steps to tidy your measures so they actually help teams, not just funders.
Mar 6, 20252 min read
When Impact Measurement Misleads: How Charities Can Cut Through the Noise
Impact measurement for charities should guide decisions, not create expensive noise. This post shows five simple steps to tidy your metrics, co-create them with your team, and only add tools when the system is ready.
Mar 4, 20257 min read
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