Navigating Faith and Finance for Charities: Insights from Yekemi Otaru, CEO of Somebody Cares

'Where Your Treasure Is...': The Podcast where Faith and Finance Meet

In the second bonus episode of this season on ‘Making Things Happen: Churches, Charities and Money’, Dr Yekemi (Kemi) Otaru shares her experiences of dealing with faith and finance challenges in her role as CEO of Aberdeen charity, Somebody Cares.

Some key points of interest covered in this episode include the following:

• Kemi introduces herself, explaining the steps that led her to become the CEO of Somebody Cares. Her achievements en route include becoming the first black woman to serve as a University Chancellor in Scotland. [01:09] Kemi goes on to talk about how Somebody Cares gives immediate relief and support for people in hardship and poverty in and around Aberdeen by providing furniture and running a food bank. [02:40]
• In response to a question from Bex, Kemi outlines her journey of faith from childhood, through her professional life and into the present day. [05:24]
• Kemi describes the nature of her role at Somebody Cares and the importance of finding time both for immediate, practical priorities and for long-term, strategic planning. [13:21]
• When asked about the significance of money to her role, Kemi speaks about funding, contingency planning and using the money well so that it makes the greatest possible impact. [16:43]
• Kemi drills deeper into funding arrangements and explains how listeners can support Somebody Cares and similar charities. [22:18]
• Kemi responds to a question from Simon about how her attitude to her own personal giving has been affected by her involvement with a charity. [27:45]
• As well as the website that explains charity VAT(!), Kemi has found www.goodfinance.org very helpful as it provides key performance indicators and examples linked to social impact reporting. [29:39]
• Kemi’s final piece of advice is directed towards anyone who feels that God may be calling them to some kind of involvement in the charitable sector. As well as praying about the options, Kemi would suggest exploring the possibility of becoming a trustee of a charity because that can provide such great insights into charitable activities while also being of huge benefit to a charity. [31:31]
• With this being the final episode of Season 9 of the ‘Where Your Treasure Is…’ podcast, Simon invites listeners to provide feedback and suggestions that will help to shape Season 10, which will commence after a short break. [34:40]

Suggestions or feedback arising from this episode can be sent via email to [email protected] while messages via Instagram should be directed to @whereyourtreasureispodcast.

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