Barely Civil Society (Alex Evans)

It’s time for #philanthropy to fund the ‘glue’ of communities. Without it we may as well give up. #nonprofits #charity

www.thirdsector.co.uk/alex-evans-i...

A Nonprofit New Year - what to expect? Erm, I've got some bad news for you.... Again... Join 1,500 subscribers for the latest Barely Civil Society. If you cry in the shower for half an hour I've succeeded. www.barelycivilsocciety.org

#nonprofits #philanthropy #grantmakers #charities #ukpolitics

I guess it’s always a case by case basis. We’ve all done and said things we’d prefer not to, to get money. My goal is to make it so that at least people realise what absolute bullshit it is even if they have to still parrot it….

The Mob, the Masses, and the Mums Far-right mobs of angry white men are terrifying. But as Hannah Arendt shows us, the real problem is bigger and more powerful...

THE MOB, THE MASSES AND THE MUMS. Fascist mobs are terrifying. But a small part of the problem. Another pants-sh*tting philosophically-inflected panic button slam on UK #civilsociety + Hannah Arendt. #farage #politics #charities

Philanthropy Bro 'wisdom' and wealth Should we really get 'comfortable' with being around wealth? Plus a general roundup of UK news. Prepare for a ranty one.

Some Philanthopy Bro berk on LinkedIn was claiming that fundraisers need to get ‘comfortable with wealth and the wealthy’. A big middle digit no to that from me in this week’s Barely Civil Society. www.barelycivilsociety.org/p/philanthro...

#philanthropy #charities #nonprofits #socialism

Beyond Charity. Part Two: beyond socialism? What role could charity play in a world with greater economic equity?

If Karl Marx had run a community centre, do you think he would have been a bit less miserable? This and other more serious questions in Barely Civil Society. What role could #charity play in a more economically just society? Would we still need it? Yep. More here: open.substack.com/pub/dralexev...

Thanks for the repost Duncan!

Off to Derby today for an inspiring couple of days with Moore Kingston Smith and the Vivensa Foundation, launcing a new cohort of the Charity leadership Academy. My part? Leadership during change, including dealing with resistance.... And no, that doesn't mean calling security. #charities #leaders

I'm seeing more and more very direct hits to #charities from #NHS funding - we've all been focused on #LocalAuthorities, but it seems much more quietly the NHS has been quietly decommissioning charity services.... DIsastrous for vital community support. #Healthcare #CharityImpact

Thanks for posting this Duncan! I’d forgotten Bluesky existed and really need to get back on here! 👍😂

Tbh I think I would lose the will to live too if I met JD Vance.

Austerity Again (Part Two): HOW does this keep happening? When we ask why people are choosing austerity when it doesn't 'work', we're missing the point. It works brilliantly for those who want it.

Reeves’ budget was appalling. But austerity works - for the people who want it. It just depends on what you’re trying to achieve. This week’s Barely Civil Society looks at why we keep ending up here and what the alternatives are. And there are many. dralexevans.substack.com/p/austerity-...

Thanks Nicola! I thought this dude was meant to be a politician???

Wes Streeting wants to fight charities. Outside. NOW. Barely Civil Society 06/02/25 Wes has set his sights on breaking your culture. Meanwhile: ‘Effective Assholeism: pseudo-intellectual philanthropy in the age of tech bro plutocrats’.

Wes Streeting wants to BREAK you. 🙄 Dude, get a grip. This week’s Barely Civil Society looks at Wes’s latest enemies and then moves on to the enemies of the world: billionaire philanthropists and tech bros.

dralexevans.substack.com/p/wes-street...

New Barely Civil Society now live. ‘The Bad Guys’. Trump, billionaires, Southport and crappy corporates. Enjoy!

dralexevans.substack.com/p/barely-civ...

#charities #charity #nonprofits #philanthropy #politics #policy

Isn’t it really nice when you meet NICE, REAL people in charities. Switched on, smart, and really care about what they do. RESOLUTION: spend more time with people who are really into their work. Less time with people who want to w*nk on about their careers and finance. Meanwhile new blog tomorrow:

Recipe book cover mockup. Vibrant photo of food ona slate grey counter. Tomatoes, limes, street tacos, a red enamel skillet with beans, chili peppers, salsa, corn tortillas stuffed with picadillo. A graphic effect in the center appears to reveal text by tearing this photo. The text reads "HOW TO COOK LIKE THE PEOPLE YOU JUST DEPORTED Authentic ethnic flavors for bigots who don't deserve them"

Plausible deniability?

Director of Communications & Advocacy - The Sutton Trust Why not apply to be our Director of Communications and Advocacy to help us drive social mobility through impactful communications, campaigning and public affairs?

The @suttontrust.bsky.social is recruiting for a new Director of Communications and Advocacy - a fantastic role in a great team (I am biased 😉) - particularly at the moment, with the chance to influence the government's Opportunity Mission.

recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5429940...

Mark Zuckerberg looks like a sex pest at a health spa. He would keep trying to get you to go in his cabin, and give you unwanted shoulder massages. Creepy look for a creepy guy.

The death of the middle-class professional spells danger for Labour | Gaby Hinsliff Graduate pay is falling – and an aggrieved generation could join white-collar workers in supporting Reform UK, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff

There is a rapid deprofessionalisation of the voluntary sector happening at pace, as more and more senior people lose their jobs and the gig economy replaces them. This is part of a wider trend.
#charities #voluntarysector #nonprofit

The death of the middle-class professional | Gaby Hinsliff |

The Neuroscience of Greed. Seems like an appropriate time to review the science behind the greedy personality trait and what we can do to guard against it.

Do you ever wonder why people are disgustingly greedy? Well, here is a very good article on that. Keep Sissy SpaceX in mind when you read it. #politics

open.substack.com/pub/dangoyal...

Trump will overplay his hand. Be ready for when he does. Friends,

Some reassurance from a veteran of other autocratic regimes.

open.substack.com/pub/robertre...

Anita Bryant, singer and anti-gay rights crusader, dies aged 84 Bryant was Miss Oklahoma and Florida Citrus spokesperson before leading anti-LGBTQ+ ‘Save Our Children’ campaign

Hurrah! Good riddance!!

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Time for another instalment of BARELY CIVIL SOCIETY, looking into the crystal ball for 2025. Think of this as a sort of PEST for the sector, which is coincidentally what some people think of me personally. Good content, and guaranteed a good rude joke or too. #charity #nonprofit #politics #VCS

Robert Reich is a big hero of mine. I like this recent quote. But let’s be clear. ‘Positive thinking’ is not what he’s arguing for. We need hard cynicism about the current reality, and big dreams for the future. Change can happen. Being honest about the now is the first step. #nonprofits #charities

Tank tops should NEVER match your skirt.

Watchdog refuses to sign off UK public sector accounts over unreliable data National Audit Office ‘disclaims’ accounts because of shortcomings in auditing of English local authorities

Have you seen the absolute state of the #LocalAuthority financial crisis? If ever they tell you #charities need to get better at managing their finances, please feel free to laugh, or possibly scream. Prediction: the 90% with no accounts are secretly bankrupt. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

Massive away win for the little fella.

As someone who really dislikes Christmas, it annoys me that I end up looking forward to it. Just please, gawd, make work stop for a bit…. And then in January the panic comes. Please, gawd, make it start again! Ah, the joys of #freelance. #charity #consultancy