20th July 2023
I am a Senior Relationship Manager and Head of Collective Funds (CFs) at Prism, covering for a colleague on maternity leave. The collective fund model is unique: we offer a charitable structure, providing the governance, due diligence, compliance and financial administration for charitable initiatives that operate under Prism’s auspices. It means our CF founders can get on with fundraising for and running charitable projects, in the confidence that with Prism’s services, the activity is always compliant with UK law and Charity Commission regulations.
Having joined the Prism team in March this year, the greatest enjoyment so far has been getting to know Prism’s CF clients in all their brilliant variety: from projects that support young refugees or make art more accessible through mobile museums; to funds that support a range of agroecological food and farming projects in the UK, or raise funds for a ground-breaking bio-diversity project in the Australian Daintree rainforest.
There is always something to learn and new things to look forward to. For example, I’m excited to be working with Flackstock Charitable Fund for the second year of the Flackstock Festival, which is held in memory of Caroline Flack and raises money for causes that were important to her.
I also have the privilege of working with a talented and hardworking team of CF Relationship Managers. Every client at Prism has a dedicated relationship manager and each member of the team has developed a deep knowledge of the client’s work to be able to give advice and support on the administration of their fund. I might be the team manager, but we all learn from each other! Growth and learning is constant in our busy team, not least in the field of charitable compliance which is an ever evolving and complex field. We are all inspired by the passion and commitment that our clients show in furthering their diverse charitable initiatives.
Joining the Prism team has been a huge privilege and also a step into the unknown. I have worked in the charity sector all my professional life, but this was my first venture into philanthropy services and it’s been an incredible journey so far. Four months into the role, I have learned a huge amount; I have grown, been challenged, relished the impact that funding is enabling – and I look forward to much more of the same in the months ahead!
Anna Cronin-Nowakowska (Head of Collective Funds)
