Today we are celebrating Giving Tuesday, a global day that recognises charitable giving in all its forms. We have been fortunate enough to receive some lovely videos that we’re sharing on our Twitter Profile throughout the day from leaders at our partner charities, talking about the difference our Pilotlighters (our skilled volunteers) have made to them, and to the growth of their organisations. If you’re looking to give back, we can give you a way you can watch your skills make that difference.
But what skills can I bring to a charity?
Whether you have a background in HR, Finance, Marketing or any other business specialism, your skills can go further than you think. Many charity leaders simply do not have the time or resources to really think about the strategic direction of their organisation. All our Pilotlighters are very experienced in their field and have overcome many barriers and challenges in their careers. This experience is incredibly valuable to a small charity struggling with its funding or developing its service offering.
You may be surprised to hear how quickly our Pilotlighters can help. After just a few introductory meetings they’re ready to coach the charity leader to understand what its core services are, to work on developing their goals into short and intermediate-term objectives, or to feed into a refocused vision and mission. Once a charity knows where it’s going and how it can get there its growth, like any business, can be unstoppable. The advice given in our meetings makes a tangible difference to how a charity leader addresses challenges and figures out where the organisation fits in its environment, and our Pilotlighters see that development first hand.
A life-changing team
Both our Pilotlighters and the CEOs from our partner charities talk about the life-changing ‘light-bulb’ moments that happen in our project meetings, where suddenly everything clicks and they now see the answer to a question that’s been hounding them. By putting together a team of four Pilotlighters who have the right knowledge, skills and experience to address the charity’s hopes for their engagement, we engineer a supportive environment where these moments can happen.
The teams are made up of Pilotlighters with vast amounts of experience with us and first-time Pilotlighters, so old hands and newer ideas converge and support the charity in a variety of ways. An experienced Pilotlight Project Manager supports the team, ensuring the skills of our Pilotlighters are best employed and the team is as effective as possible to create lasting impact for the charity.
What difference can it make?
We have worked with over 1,000 business leaders and over 550 charities and our outcomes speak for themselves. Two years after their engagement with us, our charity partners are on average reaching 53% more people and generating 28% more income. By working with us, you’re not only helping charities be bigger, better and more sustainable, you’re also developing your own skills. 95% of our Pilotlighters report an increase in their coaching skills, and 70% increase their career development.
You will be amazed by the difference your skills can make. And it can all happen before your eyes.
Take a look at our Twitter Profile throughout the day to hear some of the charity leaders we’ve worked with talk about the difference our Pilotlighters have made to what they do.
If you’re inspired by Giving Tuesday to give back to a charity and join us. Register your interest here.
