It's now nearly a month since I started asking for donations here. Right now a month is a long time, so I thought an update might be appropriate.
Firstly, many thanks to all those who have donated: almost exactly 100 people have done so, and around £6,000 has been committed in all. I am genuinely touched, and grateful. The show of confidence in the work being done here is really appreciated.
Second, this has had a big influence on my thinking. My paid employment at City, University of London, ends in July. Other research-based work is delayed or on hold at the moment. And although as I note below, one new grant has been won, there is no way of knowing whether that is likely to be repeated in the current circumstances. Like so many others, I am living with economic uncertainty right now.
In that situation, I have had to think hard about what to do next. Given the current crisis in university funding it is apparent that the chances of further paid work there, excepting the possibility of specific grant-based research if I was so lucky to be part of a consortium winning one, is low. I am not placing much hope on any of this at present.
And I am also worried about the future of grant funding from other sources: most foundations will be facing tough decisions on the scale of their funding right now. I know that some are already cutting back . So whilst I am making grant applications, this is very much a matter of ‘wait and see'.
Such a negative potential outlook could leave me deterred. The fact that, extraordinarily, even as I wrote that last sentence another donation was made means that I am actually seeing this moment as one of opportunity.
The last few weeks have seen exceptional levels of engagement on the blog. Blog traffic in the first half of this year is likely to exceed that for the whole of 2019. And what has become clear is that many see it as an educational resource, albeit one that is not terribly well organised as it stands. I admit that I have to, quite often, use Google to find what I want on it, and when doing so am very often surprised to find material that I now have no recall of writing in the way that the search reveals that I did.
Three strands of thinking have emerged as a result. One is that existing data on key issues needs to be tidied: the wiki is a way to do that and I hope that it develops, although it will take time.
Second, there is a need for focus. The Tax After Coronavirus (TACs) project is part of that. It is a way to pull ideas together in a coordinated fashion under a common heading. Some have been pleasingly well-read, but the series is intended to create a narrative as a whole and the wiki page helps that for now.
The economic myths theme will provide another variant on this idea. I will write separately on that this morning.
Third, it has occurred to me that after fourteen years of writing this blog it is now more important to me than ever. Indeed, for the first time I want to make it a key element in my work, which it has not been to date. Throughout its history it has always fitted in and around my other work, and has never had any direct funding of any sort. I now think that this will change and I see it becoming a key focus for my work.
In that context I am also pleased to note that I have won a grant of £7,500 for the Tax After Coronavirus (TACs) project from the Joffe Trust. There are some conditions attached, one of which is that the work will be published on a separate blog - albeit that it will be linked from here. I am delighted to secure that support - which means that this project will over the next year develop into a full-scale review of the need for UK tax reform.
It's also important to note that donations were important in this process: the Joffe Charitable Trust did suggest, very strongly, that such an appeal be part of the funding process to indicate that there was support for the project. I am delighted that this has been proven.
Which, brings me to my last point. It's fantastic to have £13,000 or so to work in a more dedicated way on the issues arising here. But if other grants do not appear, or are deferred or cancelled as is possible, that is not enough to keep things going. Further donations would then, be much appreciated to provide the security to take these ideas forward. I do, in particular, want to tackle the economic myths issue alongside the TACs project because I believe both can have a role to play in delivering reform, as can the campaign by the Corporate Accountability Network for sustainable cost accounting (which is currently pretty much on hold because of the delay in COP 26 and related issues) do the same in another area.
After years of largely academic focus I do, then, once more hope to make campaigning a key feature of my work. I admit that would be exciting. But it has also has practical purpose. I have greatly enjoyed academic work, and will not shy from doing more if it: the intellectual environment with those I am now working with is good for creating ideas. But, the outreach here is much bigger, and that seems to be important to me: it is apparent that many who comment here, and so I presume the many more who just read, want to see a changed world. So do I. If it is possible to play a slightly bigger part in achieving that it would be fantastic. So, many thanks for your support.
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Thanks for that richard, it reminded me to make a donation. I wasn’t able to do it a couple of weeks ago when i tried a monthly one, so I’ve just done a one-off. But at least you’re now in my list of payees, so I can easily send others in future.
Thanks for all you do. You are needed now more than ever.
Thanks SOTD
The ‘about’ section of your website says that you receive funding from the Global Initiative for Financial Transparency, the Fair Tax Mark, the Green New Deal Group and the Corporate Accountability Network, as well as from various consultancy arrangements and media appearances. Has this all stopped?
GIFT is going very slowly – on delay
Fair Tax Mark has stopped
The Green New Deal Group was never to be more than £500
And Corporate Accountability Network is on hold
I got paid £30 by the BBC in the last month
Excuse the pun, but credit goes where it is due Richard.
I see it as in investment in enabling the world to become a better, fairer & more equitable place in the future ahead.
If one could afford to give more, then there would be no hesitation.
The more indepdent you are, the less constrained & beholdent you will be to others in espousing necessary change.
In essence, you will be free to apply yourself in a more dedicated fashion to matters of greater importance.
In relation to improving the situation with regards to securing sources of funding…
Would it not be an option (if they still exist) to take a paid leave of absence/sabbatical; which will enable you to better formulate the path forward.
Or can you think of any Philanthropists who would seek to sponsor your works, without obligation, for the improvement of society & betterment of compatriots?
My contract did not allow for sabbaticals
If you have a list of philanthropists that would be great!
But they tend to like tax havens…not all, but….
1) That seems like a slightly unfavourable contract; maybe not the best time to suggest a renegotiation of contract terms, however if proposed correctly you might be able to get it in there with a bit of compromise.
2) https://medium.com/rsa-journal/radical-finance-327aabff6ded (Think you might enjoy this)
3) I shall ask some acquaintances, but unfortunately no guarantees can be provided.
4) Not Philanthropists as such & if you aren’t a fellow already one would be quite surprised, but maybe you will find some support for your project from the RSA ?
https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/project-support
5) A more widespread (social media integrated) crowd-funding approach might well be the solution Richard. You could enlist the support of your sons maybe?
Warren Buffett says, “Diversify”. Not that I agree with everything he says.
6) Maybe it could be useful going forward to establish a separate arm of Tax Research as a registered charitable organisation.
Thanks
I’ll stick to what’s happening for now, but noted
Thanks for that update on funding Richard. I do hope it allows you to keep blogging with some serenity. I have learnt a lot since I started reading it a few years ago, so felt it very fair to make a small contribution. Wishing you all the best.
Many thanks
I am very grateful to the twenty or so people who have donated since yesterday
The possibility that I may be able to dedicate more time to this work is ver appealing
I spent six hours on other stuff yesterday
In terms of campaigning, have you considered crowd funding to lobby for specific policies?
Framed as a social enterprise, investors in the campaign would get an indirect return through the social benefits of the change in policy, which would also benefit many millions in the rest of society. You could calculate the return on investment for some example citizens and different levels of investment.
Most crowd funding campaigns do not expect to generate a return for a long time if at all, but people are still willing to invest. It’s also a great way to raise awareness and petition for change in its own right.
Robbie
I think in the longer term that is possible…
Things like sustainable cost accounting might get support that way
I am currently an essential worker, elderly care 3+ years, and, to me, you are an essential worker, no kidding. Your work is essential, important, urgent.
I have followed you min. 6 years, probably more. I make a small monthly donation to Tax Justice Network, and an independent journalist publication, and it will be an honour to contribute to you/your work.
Have put in calendar to start from payday 07 June 2020.
Thank you.
Many thanks
But please, only if you can afford it