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Should charities “get political”?

The debate about this, fuelled by remarks by Charity Commission Chairman Orlando Fraser, has generated a considerable amount of comment by, and in, the media during the past month. For example, much has been made of Mr Fraser’s past links with the Conservative Party.

Most, if not all, of us have political […]

Post-coronavirus, charities are finding that recruitment is tough, especially in fundraising. There are many more vacancies than there are fundraisers at all levels wishing to fill them.

For small charities this is a particularly challenging situation. After all, would you not prefer to be Head of Fundraising at a major national or international charity with a […]

Small charities have been hard hit by recent increases in utility costs – of 60% or higher in many cases – and these often have led to charities recording annual budget deficits and the need to use reserves simply to pay for monthly energy bills.

Equally, many small charities have found that their beneficiaries are […]

The Charities Act 2022 is upon us, with its provisions coming into effect on a rolling programme which started last Autumn and is expected to be complete in Autumn this year.

Some of the key points likely to affect small charities include:

Paying Trustees in certain circumstances for goods provided. This was a widening of the […]

The cost of living crisis is upon us!  But what steps should small charities be taking?

Here are some ideas:

Costs

When did you last put domestic cleaning, vehicle servicing/maintenance, stationary supply or utilities out to tender? Now is the time to find out whether you are getting the best value for money.
How much is […]

I make no apologies for keeping on about the problems and obstacles facing small charities in accessing grants, especially from major funders.

But it seems that I am not alone in my views. Earlier this month, the think tank Pro Bono Economics reported that small charities often feel “too scared” to approach large organisations for funding.

This […]

Now that the Sector is emerging from the coronavirus crisis and all the restrictions on fundraising which that created, it is a good moment for small charities to consider the future and create new ways of fundraising as well as building on established good practice.

The Fundraising Regulator’s recently published vision of how the sector will […]

Small charities – for so long overlooked – are now firmly back in the frame following the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIOF)’s National Convention earlier this year.

Katie Docherty, the CIOF CEO, published a paper last month Remembering our ‘why’: a new strategy for the Chartered Institute. In it she outlines some of her plans and […]

The worsening economic situation in the UK shows no signs of letting up. But what does this mean for the charity sector as a whole, and small charities in particular ?

Earlier this year Sumi Rabindrakumar, Head of Policy at the Trussell Trust, doubted that his charity’s vision for 2020-2025 – a future where no one […]

Recently I received an e-mail featuring a piece by Paul Ridout of Hunters Law on the effects on UK charities of growing inflation.

Whilst the economic situation certainly doesn’t favour charities, Paul’s assessment that we are entering a period of political and economic turmoil similar to the 1970s seems premature – and a bit alarmist. […]