New Perspectives - PWIT Report
New Perspectives Report for the Pay What it Takes movement.
This report aims to grow the philanthropic sector’s understanding of the Pay What It Takes (PWIT) movement, PWIT principles as they are evolving, and how they are being practically applied in an Australian context. In the past months we have worked to gather a group of people who were willing to be open and honest about the challenges of applying ‘Pay What It Takes’ principles. Through candid interviews, the paper presents some of the implementation challenges faced by local funders and for-purpose organisations (FPOs) who are at various stages of applying PWIT principles as part of their efforts to break what has been named the ‘starvation cycle’.
In documenting these local voices and perspectives, the report points to the complexity and potential of applying PWIT principles. Drawing on these experiences provides a starting platform for the co-creation of guiding principles and solutions that will better reflect the diverse needs of our sector.
It may not be the kind of report you are used to reading about from the funding sector. (There is swearing!). The people you will hear from are passionate about making a positive impact. They describe some technical fixes, but mostly they describe what is an adaptive challenge––making the shift to trust and transparency.
The report also aims to challenge old narratives that are used reflexively within the philanthropy sector. When organisations are commended for ‘running on the smell of an oily rag’ or use any metric that rewards ‘how much you can do with how little’, taking advantage of people’s passion and commitment to social change. If you are an investor, you would not invest in a business operating so close to the wire, so why would we push our FPOs towards such a precarious position?
With the aim of capturing diverse perspectives and the real challenges of implementation of PWIT principles, we conducted nine interviews with leaders and emerging leaders in the for-purpose and funding sectors.
Lisa Allan: Head of Fundraising, The Smith Family
Leah Armstrong: Regional Manager, Australia, International Funders
for Indigenous PeoplesElla Colley: Impact Lead, Gum Tree Foundation
Craig Connelly: Philanthropic Consultant
Sarah Davies: Chair, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
Rona Glynn McDonald: Director, First Nations Futures
Peta MacGillivray: Senior research fellow in the Yuwaya Ngarra-li UNSW partnership with the Dharriwaa Elders Group and Walgett
Jen Riley: CEO, SmartyGrants
Cynthia Scherer: General Manager, Anthony Costa Foundation
We are grateful for their candid responses which add richly to our understanding of the current landscape.
The PWIT principles outlined in this resource, and our interviewees reflections on them, are a starting point. They invite a shift in mindset. You may be already thinking, all this is easy to say but not easy to do––which is why this report exists. It is the starting point for a growing community of practice, which can share experience, learning and tools, all with the goal of creating sustainable FPOs that are consistently benefiting communities across the country, and not inadvertently creating harm as they do it.
This research and report was produced by Jo Taylor, Courtney Collins and Jessica Desmond on behalf of PRISM. Thanks to Bryce Groves for the creative design.
