Blog

5 Ways to Build a Values-Driven Company Culture
Building a values-driven company culture is crucial for the success of any business. A company culture that aligns with its values attracts and retains top talent but also creates a positive impact on society and the planet. Whether you are a leading B Corp, a Pending B Corp or just beginning to explore this space we will give five ways to build a values-driven company culture starting today.

Why Values-Led Business is the Only Way Forward
Why Values-Led Business is the Only Way Forward In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, businesses must prioritise their values and ethical practices above all else. The B Corp framework provides a clear path for businesses to align their values with their actions, and it is up to businesses to take this seriously and create a sustainable future for all. In this article, we explore REAL's core values of respect, ethics, activism, love and the wider B Corp values of transparency and integrity and explain why they are crucial for a values-led business.

Menstrual Leave & Menopause Policy
Following the announcement by the UK Government to reject recommendations to consult on making menopause a protected characteristic and pilot a workplace menopause leave policy in England, the Directors at REAL Fundraising disagreed with this decision in the strongest possible terms

REAL Partnership, the Living Wage & Employee rights
This is not a new thing, over the years we have seen articles about direct sales agencies and the reportedly exploitative and unethical business and employment practices detailed within them. We have seen similar stories from direct sales companies in Australia & Spain over recent years and many of the questionable practices detailed in the programme have been widely known in the industry for more than 25 years now.

Why Values based, ethical & the employed model of fundraising creates sound piece of mind for Charities.
REAL works around the clock every day, and has done so for the last 13 years to ensure that we meet our stated aim of being the exemplar for the highest standards in the industry. We see one of our core responsibilities as ensuring our clients enjoy peace of mind while working with us and that they understand that their good governance is our first priority. Please join me as I give you a guided tour through just a small selection of the policies, ethos and working practices that make that claim a reality.

We’ve Recertified as a B Corp 🎉
We've been proud advocates of the B Corporation movement since we were certified with a score of 112.7 in 2018. We solely believe that Business can and should be used as a force for good for all stakeholders. Shareholder primacy is dead. What's a B Corp? Certified B Corporations are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. B Corp Certification demonstrates the highest standard in social and environmental business practices. The detailed B Impact Assessment contains over 250 questions (with roughly 30-60% being verified) that looks at a company's practices towards the following:-

REAL Fundraising doubles Maternity Pay policy
REAL Fundraising announces new Maternity Pay policy. Backdating the policy to January 2022 REAL Fundraising will now match the 6 weeks @ 90% of full pay that comprises Statutory Maternity Pay for a further 6 weeks meaning Parents eligible for Maternity Pay will receive a total of 12 weeks pay at 90% followed by SMP for a period of 27 weeks.

REAL Fundraising – Proud members of the F2F Alliance
Launched in 2021 the F2F Fundraising Alliance’s vision is for a face-to-face fundraising sector that is values focused, that creates a safe and inclusive space for fundraisers and a fair deal for charities, agencies, and fundraisers alike. Encouraged by ongoing conversations within the sector about industry standards The F2F Alliance was founded with a desire to support charities, fundraising agencies & fundraisers. If we all work as one and all parties have a fair deal we will attract new fundraisers to the industry, improve industry support and raise standards. It is our belief that this will produce more meaningful outcomes for the many organisations that rely on public support. It is a key aim of the alliance to showcase best practice on a range of subjects covering everything from fundraising standards to business methodology.

The real Living wage (and real London Living wage). Should it be the Minimum F2F Fundraising payment standard?
Why paying it means more than just better financial welfare for Fundraisers(which is a pretty important thing in itself). In September 2020 REAL Fundraising became accredited by the Living Wage Foundation for paying the real Living Wage and real London Living Wage. What is it? The real living wage is determined by the Living Wage Foundation every year based upon what is deemed a fair wage and allows employees the ability to meets everyday needs — like the weekly shop, or a surprise trip to the dentist.

Winners — Business Culture Awards 2021 — Best Brand & Values Initiative for Business Culture
A Focus on Partnership: REAL Fundraising were this week announced as winners of the best brand and values initiative for business culture. The really exciting thing is that the case study put forward focussed on how REAL’s own Award winning culture (as recognised in 2018 when REAL came runner up in the small business category & 2020 where REAL were runners up in Brand, Values & Purpose and won the Small Business Category) impacts the sub-contracting partner fundraising agencies that REAL works with.