There’s something powerful about bringing the right people into the room.
Our recent SA-UK Trust Network spring event, hosted on 20 March at Albourne Partners, was one of our more intimate gatherings – and because of that, one of our most meaningful. It created space for honest conversation, practical insight and the kind of connection that sits at the heart of what this network is about.
A sincere thank you to Albourne Partners for hosting us in their beautiful London offices, and to our anonymous donor whose sponsorship of a light lunch made it possible for members to stay, connect, and continue the conversation beyond the formal programme.
Navigating fundraising in a complex world
We opened with James Tennet from Resource Alliance, who grounded us in a central question: How do we mobilise resources effectively in an increasingly complex and competitive environment?
His reflections reinforced the importance of community, not just as a value, but as a practical tool. The Resource Alliance is building a global ecosystem where organisations can access knowledge, peers and real-time support to strengthen their fundraising efforts.
He highlighted Fundraising Online 2026, a free global event taking place on 13 May, which has been running since 2009 and continues to evolve alongside the sector. With a strong focus on digital tools, emerging tactics, and the growing role of AI, the event is expected to draw over 5,000 participants worldwide. Beyond this, their ongoing work (from monthly keynote sessions on emerging sector trends to a global leadership programme) speaks to a deeper shift: the need to democratise access to knowledge and rethink how we collaborate across borders.
Our second speaker, Vern Dercksen, brought a sharp and practical lens to a challenge many organisations quietly face.
He spoke about “two worlds, one problem” – whether you sit in the nonprofit or commercial space, the fundamental challenge remains the same: sustainable funding. And critically, the issue is not effort or passion. Passion is not enough. Systems are.
Vern introduced two clear, actionable frameworks:
- The six levers of fundraising effectiveness
- The stages of operational readiness
Both are designed to help organisations move from reactive fundraising to structured, intentional growth.
One insight that landed strongly in the room: The biggest leak in most organisations isn’t a lack of donors – it’s losing donors silently.
It was a reminder that strengthening internal systems, clarity, and consistency is often where the real work lies.
Strengthening the network, together
Kelvin Glen, Chair of the SA-UK Trust Network, then shared an update on where the network is heading. A key focus moving forward is understanding – and demonstrating – the collective impact of our members. There is growing recognition that while individual organisations are doing meaningful work, the real opportunity lies in showing what we are unlocking together. This includes:
- Ongoing research into the network’s combined impact
- Creating more opportunities for collaboration between members
- Strengthening partnerships with aligned organisations, including the South African High Commission and the SA Chamber of Commerce UK
- Increasing access to UK-based funding opportunities supporting Southern African work
Importantly, the network remains committed to keeping membership accessible, while increasing the tangible value members receive – particularly in generating leads, facilitating connections, and opening doors.
Investing in Africa’s leadership pipeline
We closed with Dr Peter Drobac, CEO of Crucible, who challenged us to think bigger. His message was clear:
- The single biggest untapped resource in Africa is its young people – and the data supports this.
- With projections showing that 50% of new entrants into the global workforce will come from Africa by 2030, the question is no longer whether to invest in leadership, but how quickly and effectively we can do so.
- Crucible’s ambition to build 100,000 leaders is not framed as an education initiative, but as an economic one — directly linked to GDP growth and long-term development
It was a powerful reminder that the work we do in this network (whether through fundraising, partnerships, or programme delivery) ultimately feeds into something much bigger.
A network built on connection
This event was a simple but important reminder: Progress in this sector doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in rooms like these – through shared insight, honest reflection, and a willingness to collaborate. As we look ahead, we’ll continue to create spaces for this kind of exchange while also pushing further on what it means to operate as a connected, collective force for impact.
Thank you again to everyone who joined us.
