Most charities want to adopt an ethical approach to their fundraising – but what does that look like in an increasingly challenging funding climate where philanthropy isn’t black and white?
Increasingly, there is more spotlight on how philanthropists, companies, and trusts have accumulated their wealth, and what this means for the causes they support. For many charities, weighing up ethical concerns can feel overwhelming, confusing and can lead to many not feeling confident in their decision making.
How do you balance this against your responsibility to maximise your income and fundraising potential in an increasingly challenging funding climate? When weighing up whether to accept a donation or approach a certain funder, how do you decide which issues are relevant to your cause? And if you have to make a ‘controversial’ decision, how can you justify and explain it?
This Ethical Fundraising MASTERCLASS will explore how these concerns could influence your decision making and what this might look like for your organisation. Delivered by expert trainer Mike Zwyina, this MASTERCLASS is designed to help your organisation feel more confident in navigating a minefield of ethical dilemmas in the current climate.
Our expert trainer Mike Zywina regularly helps charities to wrestle with these issues in his fundraising and strategy work and will bring his expertise, tips and insights to this session.
Who is it for?
Fundraisers and charity leaders who want to develop a clearer, more proactive ethical fundraising policy that will help them to make better, quicker and more confident decisions about their fundraising over the long-term.
What to expect?
In this MASTERCLASS, we will explore:
- What makes philanthropy problematic – from the black-and-white cases to the grey areas that will make you stop and think twice.
- How to decide which issues are relevant to your charity when facing an ethical dilemma.
- Where charities often go wrong with an ethical fundraising policy, and how to develop a better one.
- Real-life examples of charities that accepted and rejected contentious donations.
- How to explain and justify yourself if you have to make a contentious decision.
This 1-hour webinar-style session will be delivered online via Zoom.
All attendees of the live Masterclass will receive a copy of the session recording. We will also make the recording available to purchase on-demand via our website after the session.
Upcoming Dates
- When: Friday 20th November 2026, 11am – 12pm
- Cost: £15
- Book your place today through Eventbrite.
Upon registering for a Get Grants Training Course please check spam, promotional, and junk email folders for Get Grants communications – thank you!
Alternatively, contact us to request a booking form.
About the Trainer
Mike Zywina is a charity sector consultant, trainer and fundraiser with over 15 years’ experience supporting charities and social enterprises to be more strategic, become sustainable and and access more funding.
Mike’s Masterclasses include Accessing Invite-Only Funders and Stronger Bid Writing.
He founded Lime Green Consulting in 2014 and works closely with Boards and leadership teams to facilitate strategic planning, develop organisational and fundraising strategies, and design successful major funding bids. As a trainer, Mike delivers practical, engaging courses on fundraising and strategic planning, combining hands-on expertise with a strong commitment to championing the charity sector.
