Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast: What Is Your Why? – Charity Sector Stories

Episode 0: What Is Your Why? – Introducing the Podcast

In this opening episode, host Dean Jones introduces the Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast and explains the vision behind the series.​

This is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the real stories, motivations and resilience of charity leaders, fundraisers, philanthropists and changemakers across the social impact sector. Each episode will ask one central question: what is your why?​

Dean shares who the podcast is for, what listeners can expect from future conversations, and why authentic, long-form dialogue matters in a sector often defined by its complexity and emotional weight.​

If you're involved in charity, fundraising or philanthropy – or simply care about making a difference – this episode sets the tone for the honest, purposeful conversations to come.

Charity Stories from Night Owl Philanthropy Podcast

Summary

In this episode of the Night Owl Philanthropy podcast, Dean Jones speaks with Vicky Smith, the Executive Director of Income Generation at Acorns Children's Hospice.

Vicky shares her personal journey into the charitable sector, driven by a desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. She discusses the unique challenges faced by children's hospices, the importance of community support, and the innovative strategies being employed to raise funds.

Vicky emphasises the need for emotional resilience in fundraising and the critical role of retail operations in generating income for the charity.

The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of various sectors and the importance of collaboration in achieving philanthropic goals. In this conversation, Vicky Smith discusses the challenges and rewards of leading a children's hospice, emphasising the importance of resilience, peer support, and effective leadership.

She shares insights on the evolving landscape of hospice care, the necessity of collaboration, and the role of government in supporting these services.

Vicky also highlights innovative strategies for fundraising and the significance of community engagement, while reflecting on her personal journey and the qualities that make a great fundraiser.

The discussion concludes with a hopeful outlook for the future of Acorns and the essential role it plays in the community.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Philanthropy and Personal Motivation

02:50 Career Journey and Transferable Skills

05:51 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Career Choices

08:35 Ambitious Campaigns in Higher Education

11:25 The Role of Acorns Children's Hospice

14:15 Understanding Children's Hospice Care

17:02 Complexities of Care in Children's Hospices

19:28 Personal Stories and Emotional Impact

22:15 Funding Challenges in the Hospice Sector

36:06 Behind the Scenes of Fundraising

38:56 Rising Costs and Increasing Demand

41:58 Emotional Burden of Fundraising

43:58 The Role of Retail in Fundraising

49:37 Managing Multiple Fundraising Streams

52:18 Leadership in High-Stakes Environments

58:11 The Future of the Charity Sector

01:03:00 Government's Role in Funding Children's Hospices

01:11:34 Innovative Income Generation Strategies for Hospices

01:15: 44 Transforming Acorns: Vision for the Future

01:20:22 Finding Hope in Hospice Care

01:24:55 Qualities of a Great Fundraiser

01:30:50 Navigating Leadership in the Charity Sector

01:34:10 The Impact of Birmingham on Leadership Style

01:35:38 Personal Insights and Unexpected Backgrounds