“The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating. The paths to it are not found but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.”
Both charities and members embark on a journey when they sign up to Pilotlight. For the charities the journey itself can lead to profound change. Founder and Programme Manager Penny Tyack of Reading Quest, felt like she’d “been through another stage of her education." Penny said that Reading Quest, a charity helping disadvantaged children acquire precious literacy skills, is much closer to reaching its potential — which was “a dream” before working with Pilotlight.
For members, according to our recent member survey, the journey changes not only the way they give but what they bring to their day jobs. It even changes their outlook on life.
Not surprisingly, all members felt that Pilotlight had improved their understanding of the voluntary sector. But 54% of Pilotlighters have brought a different focus or direction to their donating since becoming a Pilotlight member, and increased the overall amount they give to charity (including their Pilotlight membership donations) by approximately 22%. They have also increased the time they spend volunteering with charities outside their Pilotlight commitment by approximately 50%. It does not stop there: 83% of Pilotlighters have encouraged their colleagues to volunteer, either as Pilotlighters or in other ways, since they began working with Pilotlight.
The good news continued into their day jobs where 77% of Pilotighters found their experience with Pilotlight helped them become more effective in their professional work. That effectiveness gained tended to continue over the first three years. More, 34% of members believe the Pilotlight programme has helped them make progress in their careers and 59% of Pilotlighters have made helpful contacts through Pilotlight.
Best of all though is this: 84% of Pilotlighters found their experience with Pilotlight has helped them become happier or more fulfilled in their professional work. Just as with professional effectiveness, fulfilment gains tend to continue over the first three years. In Amanda Forsyth’s words, a Pilotlighter from Adam and Company, Pilotighting left her “uplifted, energised and positive”.
Fiona Halton
Chief Executive