“In my family, we talk about BK and AK” – What I learned about impact in Oxford

Last week I went on a trip to Oxford to watch four small charities pitch for funding at Oxford Gives (more about that later). I want to tell you about a few things that I reflected upon that evening. What is your origin story? Bathed in early evening May sunshine, the dreaming spires were looking... dreamy. And as I turned into Broad Street, I noticed this small sign. In Oxford for #OxfordGives and passed this. Where it all began for @oxfamgb ... pic.twitter.com/Xa3ui61JSy — Richard Sved (@richardsved) May 17, 2018 I don't suppose many people think about the "Ox" origins of Oxfam, but here they are. Their pioneering origins. A sense of place. These are the roots of a hugely important, influential organisation. How do you talk about the early years of your organisation? If you were to plot the key events on a timeline, how would you do it? Here's a good example from the National Literacy Trust: What has changed as result of your existence? What difference have you made? What would you put in your own timeline? What plaque would they put up about your organisation in 70 years' time? How would you use six minutes to pitch for your organisation? So, yes. I was in Oxford to attend Oxford Gives. Do you know about the wonderful work of The Funding Network? Essentially, it's a Dragon's Den style crowdfunding event in which charities pitch to a room of potential donors. I've previously blogged about it here and here. We're hearing fr