18/09/09

By Andrew Holt

New research from the Charity Commission has revealed that just 9% of charities have considered collaborating, forming a consortium or merging with other charities in response to the economic downturn.

Although charities with an income of £1m or more are more likely to have considered these issues, 77% have not.

This news comes as the Charity Commission publishes two new toolkits for charities on collaborative working and merging; Choosing to Collaborate and Making Mergers Work.

The toolkits provide charities with a clear framework within which to decide whether collaborative working or merging would help them and their beneficiaries.

They use practical tips and case studies to set out the risks, challenges and opportunities that collaborative working and mergers can bring.

Andrew Hind, Charity Commission chief executive, said: "It is vitally important, particularly at a time when economic uncertainty requires all organisations to work smarter, that charities think regularly and imaginatively about how they can do more for those they help.

"We're urging every board of trustees to look creatively at ways of collaborating with others in order to make their funds work harder and to provide better value for their beneficiaries. Our new collaboration toolkit is designed to be a practical resource for trustees deciding how collaboration can work for them. Some charities may wish to go further and merge; for them, the mergers toolkit will be invaluable."

The toolkits include checklists - part of the Commission's Big Board Talk initiative - setting out the 20 questions trustees should ask themselves when considering collaborative working or mergers.

To see copies of Choosing Collaboration and Making Mergers Work, visit the Charity Commission's website - www.charitycommission.gov.uk.

The Commission has also published new research on the work of its mergers unit, Charity Mergers: Experiences from the Charity Commission, which highlights the details of the merger process, including the benefits and barriers.

Home     More News


Other stories you may find of interest:

David Cameron: Leadership for a better Britain
David Cameron put the Big Society at the heart of his keynote conference speech yesterday, stating: "My driving mission in politics is to build a Big Society, a stronger society." He said: "It starts with families. I want to make this the most family-friendly government the country has ever seen. More childcare. More health visitors. More relationship support. More help with parenting. And for the 120,000 families that are most troubled - and causing the most trouble - a commitment to turn their lives around by the end of this Parliament."

Budget 2011: Sector verdict is broadly positive
The sector has given its verdict on the budget, and there is much positive comment, but this is tempered by some disappointment and criticism. The Chancellor’s budget speech did herald some significant – and in some cases unexpected – changes to the reliefs available for charities and philanthropists. Key measures announced in the Budget include proposals to simplify Gift Aid, encourage wealthy people to give more to charity...

Sector welcomes Giving White Paper
Sector organistions have broadly welcomed the Government's Giving White Paper published today. ACEVO, NCVO, CFDG, CAF, IOF, Volunteering England and the Philanthropy Review all welcome the paper, albeit with different levels of qualification. The Social Enterprise Coalition's Peter Holbrook and the DSC are the most critical....