Barely Civil Society (Alex Evans)
@barelycivilsociety.bsky.social
Nonprofit and UK charity consultant and critical fiend. You read that right. All views my own, because nobody else will want them. Find my Barely Civil Society blog at www.barelycivilsociety.org and my website at www.alexevansconsulting.org
THE MOB, THE MASSES AND THE MUMS. Fascist mobs are terrifying. But a small part of the problem. Another pants-sh*tting philosophically-inflected panic button slam on UK #civilsociety + Hannah Arendt. #farage #politics #charities
The Mob, the Masses, and the Mums
Far-right mobs of angry white men are terrifying. But as Hannah Arendt shows us, the real problem is bigger and more powerful...
www.barelycivilsociety.org
September 22, 2025 at 7:44 AM
THE MOB, THE MASSES AND THE MUMS. Fascist mobs are terrifying. But a small part of the problem. Another pants-sh*tting philosophically-inflected panic button slam on UK #civilsociety + Hannah Arendt. #farage #politics #charities
Some Philanthopy Bro berk on LinkedIn was claiming that fundraisers need to get ‘comfortable with wealth and the wealthy’. A big middle digit no to that from me in this week’s Barely Civil Society. www.barelycivilsociety.org/p/philanthro...
#philanthropy #charities #nonprofits #socialism
#philanthropy #charities #nonprofits #socialism
Philanthropy Bro 'wisdom' and wealth
Should we really get 'comfortable' with being around wealth? Plus a general roundup of UK news. Prepare for a ranty one.
www.barelycivilsociety.org
September 6, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Some Philanthopy Bro berk on LinkedIn was claiming that fundraisers need to get ‘comfortable with wealth and the wealthy’. A big middle digit no to that from me in this week’s Barely Civil Society. www.barelycivilsociety.org/p/philanthro...
#philanthropy #charities #nonprofits #socialism
#philanthropy #charities #nonprofits #socialism
If Karl Marx had run a community centre, do you think he would have been a bit less miserable? This and other more serious questions in Barely Civil Society. What role could #charity play in a more economically just society? Would we still need it? Yep. More here: open.substack.com/pub/dralexev...
Beyond Charity. Part Two: beyond socialism?
What role could charity play in a world with greater economic equity?
open.substack.com
August 14, 2025 at 12:39 PM
If Karl Marx had run a community centre, do you think he would have been a bit less miserable? This and other more serious questions in Barely Civil Society. What role could #charity play in a more economically just society? Would we still need it? Yep. More here: open.substack.com/pub/dralexev...
Off to Derby today for an inspiring couple of days with Moore Kingston Smith and the Vivensa Foundation, launcing a new cohort of the Charity leadership Academy. My part? Leadership during change, including dealing with resistance.... And no, that doesn't mean calling security. #charities #leaders
June 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Off to Derby today for an inspiring couple of days with Moore Kingston Smith and the Vivensa Foundation, launcing a new cohort of the Charity leadership Academy. My part? Leadership during change, including dealing with resistance.... And no, that doesn't mean calling security. #charities #leaders
I'm seeing more and more very direct hits to #charities from #NHS funding - we've all been focused on #LocalAuthorities, but it seems much more quietly the NHS has been quietly decommissioning charity services.... DIsastrous for vital community support. #Healthcare #CharityImpact
June 17, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I'm seeing more and more very direct hits to #charities from #NHS funding - we've all been focused on #LocalAuthorities, but it seems much more quietly the NHS has been quietly decommissioning charity services.... DIsastrous for vital community support. #Healthcare #CharityImpact
Tbh I think I would lose the will to live too if I met JD Vance.
April 21, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Tbh I think I would lose the will to live too if I met JD Vance.
Reeves’ budget was appalling. But austerity works - for the people who want it. It just depends on what you’re trying to achieve. This week’s Barely Civil Society looks at why we keep ending up here and what the alternatives are. And there are many. dralexevans.substack.com/p/austerity-...
Austerity Again (Part Two): HOW does this keep happening?
When we ask why people are choosing austerity when it doesn't 'work', we're missing the point. It works brilliantly for those who want it.
dralexevans.substack.com
March 28, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reeves’ budget was appalling. But austerity works - for the people who want it. It just depends on what you’re trying to achieve. This week’s Barely Civil Society looks at why we keep ending up here and what the alternatives are. And there are many. dralexevans.substack.com/p/austerity-...
Wes Streeting wants to BREAK you. 🙄 Dude, get a grip. This week’s Barely Civil Society looks at Wes’s latest enemies and then moves on to the enemies of the world: billionaire philanthropists and tech bros.
dralexevans.substack.com/p/wes-street...
dralexevans.substack.com/p/wes-street...
Wes Streeting wants to fight charities. Outside. NOW. Barely Civil Society 06/02/25
Wes has set his sights on breaking your culture. Meanwhile: ‘Effective Assholeism: pseudo-intellectual philanthropy in the age of tech bro plutocrats’.
dralexevans.substack.com
February 7, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Wes Streeting wants to BREAK you. 🙄 Dude, get a grip. This week’s Barely Civil Society looks at Wes’s latest enemies and then moves on to the enemies of the world: billionaire philanthropists and tech bros.
dralexevans.substack.com/p/wes-street...
dralexevans.substack.com/p/wes-street...
New Barely Civil Society now live. ‘The Bad Guys’. Trump, billionaires, Southport and crappy corporates. Enjoy!
dralexevans.substack.com/p/barely-civ...
#charities #charity #nonprofits #philanthropy #politics #policy
dralexevans.substack.com/p/barely-civ...
#charities #charity #nonprofits #philanthropy #politics #policy
January 31, 2025 at 1:54 PM
New Barely Civil Society now live. ‘The Bad Guys’. Trump, billionaires, Southport and crappy corporates. Enjoy!
dralexevans.substack.com/p/barely-civ...
#charities #charity #nonprofits #philanthropy #politics #policy
dralexevans.substack.com/p/barely-civ...
#charities #charity #nonprofits #philanthropy #politics #policy
Isn’t it really nice when you meet NICE, REAL people in charities. Switched on, smart, and really care about what they do. RESOLUTION: spend more time with people who are really into their work. Less time with people who want to w*nk on about their careers and finance. Meanwhile new blog tomorrow:
January 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Isn’t it really nice when you meet NICE, REAL people in charities. Switched on, smart, and really care about what they do. RESOLUTION: spend more time with people who are really into their work. Less time with people who want to w*nk on about their careers and finance. Meanwhile new blog tomorrow:
Reposted by Barely Civil Society (Alex Evans)
Plausible deniability?
January 22, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Plausible deniability?
Reposted by Barely Civil Society (Alex Evans)
The @suttontrust.bsky.social is recruiting for a new Director of Communications and Advocacy - a fantastic role in a great team (I am biased 😉) - particularly at the moment, with the chance to influence the government's Opportunity Mission.
recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5429940...
recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5429940...
Director of Communications & Advocacy - The Sutton Trust
Why not apply to be our Director of Communications and Advocacy to help us drive social mobility through impactful communications, campaigning and public affairs?
recruitment.suttontrust.com
January 15, 2025 at 9:49 AM
The @suttontrust.bsky.social is recruiting for a new Director of Communications and Advocacy - a fantastic role in a great team (I am biased 😉) - particularly at the moment, with the chance to influence the government's Opportunity Mission.
recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5429940...
recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5429940...
Mark Zuckerberg looks like a sex pest at a health spa. He would keep trying to get you to go in his cabin, and give you unwanted shoulder massages. Creepy look for a creepy guy.
January 15, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Mark Zuckerberg looks like a sex pest at a health spa. He would keep trying to get you to go in his cabin, and give you unwanted shoulder massages. Creepy look for a creepy guy.
There is a rapid deprofessionalisation of the voluntary sector happening at pace, as more and more senior people lose their jobs and the gig economy replaces them. This is part of a wider trend.
#charities #voluntarysector #nonprofit
The death of the middle-class professional | Gaby Hinsliff |
#charities #voluntarysector #nonprofit
The death of the middle-class professional | Gaby Hinsliff |
The death of the middle-class professional spells danger for Labour | Gaby Hinsliff
Graduate pay is falling – and an aggrieved generation could join white-collar workers in supporting Reform UK, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
buff.ly
January 14, 2025 at 8:15 AM
There is a rapid deprofessionalisation of the voluntary sector happening at pace, as more and more senior people lose their jobs and the gig economy replaces them. This is part of a wider trend.
#charities #voluntarysector #nonprofit
The death of the middle-class professional | Gaby Hinsliff |
#charities #voluntarysector #nonprofit
The death of the middle-class professional | Gaby Hinsliff |
Do you ever wonder why people are disgustingly greedy? Well, here is a very good article on that. Keep Sissy SpaceX in mind when you read it. #politics
open.substack.com/pub/dangoyal...
open.substack.com/pub/dangoyal...
The Neuroscience of Greed.
Seems like an appropriate time to review the science behind the greedy personality trait and what we can do to guard against it.
open.substack.com
January 13, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Do you ever wonder why people are disgustingly greedy? Well, here is a very good article on that. Keep Sissy SpaceX in mind when you read it. #politics
open.substack.com/pub/dangoyal...
open.substack.com/pub/dangoyal...
Trump will overplay his hand. Be ready for when he does.
Friends,
open.substack.com
January 12, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Time for another instalment of BARELY CIVIL SOCIETY, looking into the crystal ball for 2025. Think of this as a sort of PEST for the sector, which is coincidentally what some people think of me personally. Good content, and guaranteed a good rude joke or too. #charity #nonprofit #politics #VCS
January 10, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Time for another instalment of BARELY CIVIL SOCIETY, looking into the crystal ball for 2025. Think of this as a sort of PEST for the sector, which is coincidentally what some people think of me personally. Good content, and guaranteed a good rude joke or too. #charity #nonprofit #politics #VCS
Robert Reich is a big hero of mine. I like this recent quote. But let’s be clear. ‘Positive thinking’ is not what he’s arguing for. We need hard cynicism about the current reality, and big dreams for the future. Change can happen. Being honest about the now is the first step. #nonprofits #charities
January 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Robert Reich is a big hero of mine. I like this recent quote. But let’s be clear. ‘Positive thinking’ is not what he’s arguing for. We need hard cynicism about the current reality, and big dreams for the future. Change can happen. Being honest about the now is the first step. #nonprofits #charities
Tank tops should NEVER match your skirt.
January 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Tank tops should NEVER match your skirt.
Have you seen the absolute state of the #LocalAuthority financial crisis? If ever they tell you #charities need to get better at managing their finances, please feel free to laugh, or possibly scream. Prediction: the 90% with no accounts are secretly bankrupt. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
Watchdog refuses to sign off UK public sector accounts over unreliable data
National Audit Office ‘disclaims’ accounts because of shortcomings in auditing of English local authorities
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2024 at 2:25 PM
Have you seen the absolute state of the #LocalAuthority financial crisis? If ever they tell you #charities need to get better at managing their finances, please feel free to laugh, or possibly scream. Prediction: the 90% with no accounts are secretly bankrupt. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...
Reposted by Barely Civil Society (Alex Evans)
Massive away win for the little fella.
December 2, 2024 at 1:38 PM
Massive away win for the little fella.
As someone who really dislikes Christmas, it annoys me that I end up looking forward to it. Just please, gawd, make work stop for a bit…. And then in January the panic comes. Please, gawd, make it start again! Ah, the joys of #freelance. #charity #consultancy
December 2, 2024 at 2:28 PM
As someone who really dislikes Christmas, it annoys me that I end up looking forward to it. Just please, gawd, make work stop for a bit…. And then in January the panic comes. Please, gawd, make it start again! Ah, the joys of #freelance. #charity #consultancy
Dolly Parton and me love a good theory of change. She once said: "Find out who you are, and then do it on purpose." That’s what most theories of change are. Of course you may need to think from scratch. Or use it to course correct. But either way, it’s working out what you do and why. I can help!
November 27, 2024 at 11:00 AM
Dolly Parton and me love a good theory of change. She once said: "Find out who you are, and then do it on purpose." That’s what most theories of change are. Of course you may need to think from scratch. Or use it to course correct. But either way, it’s working out what you do and why. I can help!