Showcasing like-minded business owners who love gemstones and appreciate great design!

Tell me a little about your business and what its purpose is

The Philanthropy Tree provides consultancy services to charities and educational institutions, to help them raise more money and build stronger connections with their communities. I coach fundraising staff, volunteers and charity leadership teams on fundraising strategy, building a culture of philanthropy, storytelling, and effective asking, as well as helping with writing appeals and funding bids. The consultancy is pretty unique, in that it sits alongside an ambitious multi-million pound capital fundraising campaign in a state school, so I'm able to bring clients into the beating heart and highs and lows of a live campaign. I'm also actively involved with sharing best fundraising practice with schools and institutions in the UK and Europe.

Where did your passion for your business come from?

I've been a professional fundraiser in the charitable sector for 25 years, and had for many years been keen to create my own brand and use my own voice to share my experiences with others. It really is a passion, and I absolutely thrive on it! It is a huge privilege to be able to help other organisations in need, and to contribute in some small way to life-changing outcomes for their beneficiaries.

How have you adapted your business to the current climate?

With some clients furloughed and most just trying to make sense of the situation, it's been a time to be available as a sounding board and share the actions and approach I've taken myself since lockdown began. Essentially, that's meant proactive and authentic communication with communities, shifting events and conversations online, and taking the opportunity to create lots more video content and to innovate. I've also been supporting clients with more bid-writing than usual, as charities find they need to apply to various Covid 19 emergency funds for urgent support.

What top three tips would you give to someone looking to start their own business right now?

1. Don't be afraid of the climate - if your concept is credible enough and agile enough to ride the storm, don't delay.

2. Spend time on your story - the more you articulate it, the more authentic and honed it becomes.

3. And just be bold!

What kind of jewellery do you wear?

A real mixture! Mostly silver, although I seem to be migrating back towards gold too. I love quite chunky silver necklaces and cuffs, which always look good with the many black dresses I wear! But I also have some much more delicate pieces - rings, pendants and delicate silver link bracelets.

I've recently re-imagined a lovely pendant with great sentimental value, with Jade’s help!

Do you have a jewellery wish list? Perhaps a board on Pinterest?! 

I think jewellery is becoming more important to me as I get older, so the wish list is long. I will always be a fan of diamonds and blue stones, recently discovered labradorite, and am about to treat myself for my birthday to a moonstone ring, I think. If I ever were to get married again, I would absolutely be dropping VERY large hints about who I'd love to design my engagement ring, Jade!

… Thanks Jo! Heading into London with you and helping redesign your aqua and diamond necklace was fab! And RE engagement rings, hehe - you’ve got my number!

Jo Ballantine runs The Philanthropy Tree - Innovative fundraising, philanthropy and development strategies for the education sector.

Website: philanthropytree.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-ballantine-a42b332b/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BallantineJo