The National Council for Voluntary Organisations is leading a national campaign, called ‘What Do You Believe In?’ to encourage people to support causes they care about. Liz Atkins, head of public policy at NCVO, said: “Volunteering is a great way to give to causes you believe in and make a real difference to people’s lives. It’s free, fun, rewarding and can dramatically improve your career prospects by giving you new experiences or the chance to hone professional skills.” A total of 73 per cent of adults in Britain volunteer in some way with 17.7million people volunteering formally at least once a year through specific groups or organisations.
The Institute of Fundraising has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of the use of cheques by charities both large and small. It is also to put pressure on the Payments Council, urging the body not to begin the phasing out of cheques earlier than 2018, and before a viable alternative has been found. There are many charities – in particular, but not exclusively – those who rely heavily on an older supporter base, which receive more than 70% of their income by cheque. These charities have expressed real fears that those who currently donate this way may stop giving altogether if they are no longer able to do so by cheque.
An extra £33.5 million was made available by private philanthropists to support local communities in the teeth of last year’s recession, according to record-breaking figures released today by the Community Foundation Network (CFN). Monies from central and local government, business and others meant that in total £56million was made available to support grassroots organisations. The number of individual donors setting up charitable funds to support local group rose by a record breaking 60% over the course of the year, with 1,765 major charitable funds now managed by Community Foundations, with an average value of just under £80,000.
The National Coalition for Independent Action today released an open letter to the chief executives of the five national bodies, which have endorsed the revised National Compact, launched on December 16. The full text of the letter reads: Dear Stephen, Debra, Stuart, Kevin and Justin, We write this open letter to you, having been confronted by your ringing endorsement of the ‘Refreshed Compact’. Over here at the NCIA we have long taken a critical view, both of the Compact and the industry that has been created to promote its goodness and effectiveness. Nothing has changed in that department.
Nearly a week after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal total has increased to £25million, with social networking sites being highlighted as playing a major role. As part of the on-going work in Haiti, DEC member agencies work has included: Christian Aid and its partners have set up tent hospitals and are providing medical equipment and supplies to the Haitian refugees injured by the earthquake at the Haitian border in Jimani. Social networking sites have been noted for playing a crucial part in raising funds and awareness, especially in the 36 hours following the launch of the DEC’s Haiti earthquake appeal.
The UK inflation rate has come in at an annualised rate of 2.9% for the year to December, which is the fastest rate for nine months and well above consensus expectations of around 2.6% and compares to a figure of only 1.9% in November. Most of the rise can be attributed to the anniversary of last year's cut in VAT and in addition there is evidence that retailers did not indulge in the heavy discounting of the previous year when the financial crisis was at its peak. Next month, it is expected that inflation could rise to as high as 3.5% reflecting the re-imposition of the 17.5% rate of VAT.
PAPYRUS, the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, has appointed Udeni Salmon as executive director to provide leadership to the staff team and volunteers, working with the trustees to secure the future of the charity. Salmon joins PAPYRUS from The Leonard Cheshire Foundation where she was head of volunteering support. “This is an exciting stage in the charity’s evolution,” commented Anne Parry, chair of PAPYRUS.
Volunteering and training charity, CSV has appointed Sir Jon Shortridge as its new chairman. Shortridge is an experienced public servant and leader and was Permanent Secretary in Wales for over nine years.He also worked in Whitehall. He began his career as a social researcher and town planner for 15 years. Speaking about his appointment he said: "I'm looking forwards to chairing CSV through challenging times ahead, when people will be expecting more for less and when 11 million people tell researchers that they would volunteer if only they were asked. I'm excited by the prospect of helping CSV to develop how it operates in an environmentally sustainable way."
Two Institute of Fundraising codes, covering face-to-face and telephone fundraising, have been updated with additional guidance. The face-to-face Code includes updated guidance about cold calling control zones. It includes the detail that fundraisers wishing to carry out cold calling in a cold calling control zone ought first to establish whether fundraising is permitted in the zone. If it is not, then they should seek further information from the local trading standards service so that they can assess whether the zone has been established in accordance with the spirit of the trading standards Institute guidance on cold calling control zones.
Charities are being urged by the Charity Commission to send their accounts and annual returns on time this year. Last year 80% of charities did send their documents in on time but the remaining 20% did not meet their deadlines. The regulator is launching a regional press campaign to encourage local trustees to ensure their charity files on time. Nearly one in five charities that are required to send their accounts and Annual Returns to the Charity Commission send them in after the ten month deadline.
UK charities must plan and prepare for the impact of climate change now to ensure they are ready to cope with changing demands on their services in future. New guidance for voluntary and community groups encourages them to think beyond reducing their own carbon footprint to consider how the people and communities they help may need extra support to deal with flooding, heat waves and rising costs brought on by climate change. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, together with Green Alliance and Global Action Plan, have completed a pilot project with four major UK charities
The Charity Commission has welcomed the Government’s decision today to withdraw from the Children, Schools and Families Bill the proposal to deem academy schools exempt charities. The Commission had consistently argued for the removal of this provision in the Bill. The charity regulator had warned that the proposal would have reduced the accountability and transparency of academies, creating confusion and seriously risking damage to public trust and confidence in academies and in charity more widely.
As the economic downturn has worn on, the Scottish public has increasingly felt that charitable donations made north of the border should also be spent there, according to new data out today. Scottish males, those from higher social-demographic groups, 25-34-year olds and non-donors have especially driven this more philanthropically insular trend. These are the latest key findings from not-for-profit sector research consultancy nfpSynergy’s Scottish Charity Engagement Monitor, yielding regular insights into what the Scottish public thinks about a range of charitable and social issues.
Three quarters of people say that trust in the charity and/or sector influences their decision to give, according to an online survey. Trust in the organisation is more important than trust in the sector with 56% saying that trust in the charity and 42% reporting that trust in the sector was an influencing factor. Trust in the organisation and/or the sector is most important for Scots where 82% reported that trust is a key influencer in their decision to give to charity, compared to 71% of people living in Wales & the West of England.
Sterling reached a five month high against a broadly weaker euro yesterday, hitting a day high of €1.1625. Mounting worries about sovereign credit risk within the euro zone have undermined the euro, as tumbling Greek government bonds highlighted the market's concerns over their ability to pay back its soaring deficit. Mark Bolsom, head of the UK trading desk at Travelex, the FX Payments group, said: "Sterling was also bolstered by Bank of England MPC member Andrew Sentance's bullish comments yesterday. The markets took comfort in his apparent assurances that Quantitative Easing will not be extended past its current level of £200 billion."
The Social Investment Business announce availability of £16m Capital Funding Package through the Department of Health’s Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF). The Social Investment Business today announced a capital funding programme worth £16m to support social enterprises in health and social care looking for grant funding to help with capital costs, such as the purchase or refurbishment of a property or an upgrade to their IT or purchase equipment. Capital grants of between £100,000- £450,000 are now available from the Department of Health’s Social Enterprise Investment Fund...
Charities are in danger of neglecting leadership potential, as they chase a shrinking funding pool, a director of a major initiative on social leadership said today. Dame Mary Marsh, director of the Clore Social Leadership Programme, who will be speaking on 12 February at the HR Society's President's Forum, believes that while the challenges in the not for profit and charity sectors are significant, a lack of planned and supported development opportunities will hamper third sector leadership and therefore its capacity to deal with a rapidly changing environment.
A joint bid by partners of the European Network of National Associations for Civil Society (ENNA) has secured over £275,000 funding from the European Commission. This three year funding will build knowledge, skills and expertise between ENNA members and strengthen the co-operation within civil society organisations across Europe. The new funds will also enable ENNA to push forward the creation of a European Charter. This will act like the UK Compact to ensure that the EU works effectively with the voluntary sector, strengthening transparency, accountability and good practice. The network will also focus on joint campaigns so that voluntary organisations are heard in the EU, following the recent changes in the Lisbon Treaty to give people more choice in EU decisions.
Donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) have topped £50m two weeks since the devastating earthquake hit Haiti. This represents an average donation of over four million pounds each day since the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal was launched. According to a recent survey of over 1,000 adults carried out for the Charities Aid Foundation, almost half the UK population (48%) have already donated to the Haiti disaster appeal. Of those who haven’t given yet, nearly two thirds (62%) say they might, or plan to in the future.
Conservative MP Oliver Letwin has questioned charities’ role in lobbying Government for change at the NCVO’s Campaigns Conference. Letwin, chairman of the Conservative Policy Review, said: “I regret that so much of the effort in some parts of the voluntary sector is devoted to campaigning. What I treasure about the sector is not the campaigning. The special contribution of the sector is to do things, change things.” However, he saw a much greater role for charities in delivering services and called them a “foundation stone” for society.
Government funding for voluntary agencies that provide support to victims of sexual violence will be streamlined with the establishment of a one-year combined fund for 2010/11. The fund has been created by merging the Office for Criminal Justice Reform Victims Fund and the Government Equalities Office Special Fund, in order to simplify the application and administration process for voluntary organisations in the sector. The combined fund will mean there is a single application and monitoring process.
The Social Investment Business is closing the Futurebuilders Fund to new applicants following huge demand from the third sector for social finance. The Social Investment Business has been receiving £60-90m worth of enquiries over recent months. Stephen Bubb, chairman of The Social Investment Business, said: “The Futurebuilders Fund has confirmed the sector’s appetite for affordable loan financing - even in these challenging economic times. Futurebuilders has shown what can be achieved through social investment. Now it’s time to get cracking and set up The Social Investment Bank."
The Charity Commission has today publishing updated guidance for charities on complying with the law before local and national elections. The guidance, Charities and Elections, is for use by trustees during the period between the announcement of an election and the date on which the election is held.The updates to the guidance include advice from the Commission on how charities should approach engagement with minority parties. Charities undertaking political activity are not required to engage with representatives from every party on the political spectrum, but any express decision not to engage with a particular party must be based solely on the interests of the charity.
The British public have shown overwhelming generosity in response to the Haiti appeal for help and a survey of over 1,000 adults carried out for the Charities Aid Foundation shows that nearly half the UK (48%) population have already donated to the Haiti disaster appeal. Of those who haven’t given yet nearly two thirds (62%) say they might, or plan to in the future. The research, undertaken on behalf of the Charities Aid Foundation by GfK NOP, shows that of those who gave, 55% were women and 45% were men.
Neil Hunt is to leave as Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society after nearly seven years in the role. Ruth Sutherland, chief operating officer of Alzheimer’s Society will become acting chief executive until a replacement is appointed. Neil Hunt explained: ‘I have decided that after nearly 7 years in post, now is the time to seek new challenges. The dementia agenda has changed beyond all recognition in recent years. No longer will this condition be ignored in the way it once was. I am confident that as a health priority we see a new determination to address the challenges it brings to individuals, families and to us all as a nation."
As the economic downturn wears on, people are more likely to cut back on charitable donations, according to data out today. Not-for-profit sector research consultancy nfpSynergy’s Charity Awareness Monitor surveys a representative sample of 1,000 adults throughout Britain each year, asking a range of charity-related questions - including what areas of their household budgeting they most expect to cut back on in the year ahead. Overall, whilst claimed propensity to cut back in the coming 12 months on giving to charity (34% Nov 2008; 41% May 2009; 42% Sept 2009) has broadly increased...
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a set of proposals to change employment policies and open up more work opportunities for older Britons and address the challenges of an ageing workforce. The proposals include abolishing the default retirement age, the extension of the right to request flexible working to all, overhauling employer recruitment practices to prevent discrimination and improved training and development.
A third of charity managers and trustees across the country are unaware of the Government’s recently introduced requirements to vet staff and volunteers. According to a new study published today by insurer Ecclesiastical, 32% of those surveyed said they were not aware of the new requirements to vet staff and volunteers introduced by the 2006 Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act. Cultural charities were the least aware with 45% of managers and trustees saying they did not know about the new rules. For youth charities the figure dropped to 20%.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced a £3m grant for the Giant’s Causeway World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland and £3.7m for Liverpool’s pioneering Florence Institute for Boys. In addition, it has given initial support for projects at Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge, the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough, Roman Maryport in West Cumbria and the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford. Dame Jenny Abramsky, chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "Heritage means different things to different people but what is really important is these places reflect the UK’s multi-layered and fascinating history.”
The Helplines Association (THA) has expressed satisfaction that the Department for Work and Pensions has reached an agreement with mobile phone networks to ensure that people can call seventy of their 0800 numbers free from mobile phones. Mobile networks already offer free phone calls to charity helplines starting with 080880 such as Macmillan, the MS Society and the NSPCC. These helplines are vetted by The Helplines Association. The mobile providers have partnered with THA in this scheme since 1998.
The Board of the Directory of Social Change has appointed Nick Seddon as its new Chair – at 31 the youngest ever. Seddon is already known in the voluntary and charitable sector for his authorship of the controversial book Who Cares? published by Civitas. Seddon has been a social policy features writer for the Guardian and contributor to the Economist magazine. A graduate of Cambridge University, he has been a research fellow at Civitas and is currently head of communications at Circle Health.
The Charity Finance Directors’ Group (CFDG) will be holding an election debate on 24 February, giving its members an opportunity to raise their issues with key political figures in the run up to the general election. The debate will have a ‘Question Time’ format and will be chaired by Kim Catcheside, BBC Education Correspondent and CFDG trustee. Questions from CFDG members will be directed to a panel of spokespeople on the third sector from the three major parties
A survey has revealed that charity donations fell by 10% during 2009 as the public reacted to the recession. Around 71% of people said they gave money to a good cause during the year, donating an average of £110.20 each, according to Investec Private Bank. Londoners donated an average of £175. But one in five people said they had reduced the amount they gave compared with 2008, while only 11% of people claimed they had increased their donations.
A joint bid by NCVO and some of its European counterparts has successfully secured £168,000 of funding for the European Network of National Associations for Civil Society (ENNA). The money will help fund the ‘Participation for Change’ project, the first of its kind across Europe, will carry out co-mentoring for civil society members and partners in key countries across Europe. Umbrella bodies: OFOP (Poland), BBE (Germany), NENO (Estonia) and CNVOS (Slovenia) were also invovled in the bid and events are now being planned in London, Berlin, Talinn and Brussels.
Research by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) and employee benefits adviser, Foster Denovo shows almost three quarters (73 percent) of charities have not as yet assessed the impact of legislative changes to their pension strategy. This compares to a figure of 84 percent in the same survey carried out in November 2008. And, the proportion who are not aware of the legislative changes has reduced since last year’s survey from 16 percent in November 2008, to 12 percent in November 2009.
The Institute of Fundraising has launched a campaign urging its members to volunteer on the boards of charities. This is in response to member feedback indicating that charity trustees often do not understand fundraising, and can be unrealistic in their expectations of fundraising staff. According to the Institute, more fundraisers serving on trustee boards would not only ensure fellow fundraisers are supported, but also grow the individual’s understanding of how boards of trustees think and work.
The UK's deficit on trade in goods fell to £6.8billion in November compared to the revised £7billion for October. Analysts had predicted a more modest decline of £6.9billion. It is the narrowest deficit since August 2009 and reflects the weakness of the pound over the past few months. The depreciation of the currency has made British goods cheaper abroad, which has brought about a solid increase in exports. Meanwhile, imports have slowed as they became more expensive for UK traders.
Charities are among the toughest places to work in Britain, according to research from Cardiff University and the University of Glamorgan into workplace practices. Professor Duncan Lewis of Glamorgan’s Business School said: “Third sector respondents reported being 2.5 times more likely to experience intimidating behaviour from people at work and were four times more likely to report being humiliated or ridiculed in connection with their work. It could be anything from having your views and your opinions ignored to having somebody constantly checking up on your work, or being given unmanageable workloads.”
State Street has announced the results of its UK Charity Fund Universe for 2009, with estimates for the WM UK Charity Fund Universe suggesting charity trustees will enjoy returns of around 19 percent. “In isolation, it was a stellar year for risk assets, both equity and corporate bonds, while the safe havens of cash and government bonds languished,” said Jeanette Patrizio, vice president of State Street Investment Analytics. “However, the returns in the latest year represent only partial recovery of the significant investment losses that were rooted in the collapse of the credit market and the sharp economic recession it precipitated.”
Welfare to work charity Careers Development Group (CDG) has voiced its optimism at improving trends in the labour market, revealing 7% growth in its job outcomes for the long term unemployed in the period between January and October 2009. This follows on from today’s announcement by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) of a fifth month of higher staff appointments, and early indications point to the trend continuing through November and December. The REC’s Report on Jobs revealed the sharpest acceleration in the growth of permanent placements since July 2007 and cited a further increase in permanent staff salaries as signs that the recovery is quickening.
The Alzheimer's Society is calling for political party election manifestos to address serious failings in dementia care, after a survey found less than a quarter of people with dementia are receiving all the help they need.The charity's survey of nearly 1,500 carers and people with dementia found major concerns about the standards of care being provided. Only 23 per cent of respondents said all their care needs were met while less than a quarter (24 per cent) felt staff providing care had the skills and understanding necessary. Only 12 per cent of carers always had access to short breaks.
John Kingston, founder director of Venturesome, the Charities Aid Foundation’s social investment arm, has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Voluntary Sector in the New Year’s Honours list. Kingston has been instrumental in creating and developing a social investment market in the UK, and Venturesome’s influence continues to be pivotal. Kingston said: “It really is a great privilege to be honoured for work that I love doing and wish to acknowledge the many committed people I’ve been lucky enough to work with over the years.”
BBC Children in Need has launched a small grants programme to complement its main grants scheme. Successful organisations will receive up to £10,000 over three years, an amount that Children in Need deems enough to achieve "significant and valuable work". Comprising four rounds per year, the first deadline for applications is January, with decisions expected in April. David Ramsden, BBC Children in Need CEO, said: "The small grants programme is an especially important part of our grant making; it helps us to connect with organisations which are at the heart of local commnities."
Amnesty International has appointed Salil Shetty as its next secretary general. Shetty, an Indian national, has been the director of the United Nations’ Millennium Campaign for the past six years and the chief executive of international anti-poverty NGO ActionAid before then. Chair of Amnesty’s International Executive Committee, Peter Pack said: “We are thrilled that Salil will be joining us and leading Amnesty International as we renew our fight to end injustice – campaigning with those imprisoned because of their ideas, those on death row, those being tortured, and those who have their rights denied because they live in poverty."
The British Polio Fellowship has announced the appointment of its new chief executive, Dr John Hooper, who joins the organisation from the Institute of Clinical Research. Dr Hooper joins the team to help promote the organisation’s support to those with polio and those affected by PPS. The British Polio Fellowship was founded in 1939 to help people with polio and has been raising the awareness of Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) for a number of years.
The Charity Finance Directors’ Group (CFDG) has announced its plans to support its members’ management of the phasing out of cheques. The plans will be rolled out in 2010 and include issuing guidance to advise members on best practice to enhance the efficiency of their finance functions, lobbying the banks to ensure that they offer the best service to charity customers whatever payment method is used, working with the banks to develop effective and appropriate alternatives for charities and their donors, and undertaking research to assess the impact of the change on the charity sector.
Communities across England are taking delivery of a package of Christmas grants of more than £7 million from the BIG Lottery Fund. The season's celebrations are being given a big lift in 32 communities which are each receiving a slice of a total funding announcement of £7,828,298 for their work with some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded people across the country. The funding is from BIG's Reaching Communities programme. Sanjay Dighe, chair of BIG's England Committee, said: "We are delighted to bring the good news to 32 fantastic projects, just in time for Christmas. Receiving grants this month are groups offering support to people suffering from serious health conditions, those aiming to improve the natural environment on their doorsteps and scores of others."
The Charity Commission has today published the results of its inquiry into Catz Club, revealing over-ambitious growth left the charity in deficit. Catz Club is a charitable company set up to advance education and provide for the recreation of children of school age. It ran breakfast and after-school clubs across the country during school hours and school holidays. This included using inter-active numeracy and literacy computer software to run activities. The inquiry found that, having received a grant and loan package from Futurebuilders, Catz Club had embarked on a path of rapid expansion.
A new chapter in partnership working between government and the third sector opened today with the publication of a refreshed national Compact. The Compact is the longstanding agreement that sets out shared commitments and guidelines for effective partnership working between government and the third sector in England. The original Compact was agreed in November 1998 and this new version has developed following extensive debate and consultation. This Compact highlights the shared principles which Compact partners should follow when engaging in partnership working, and records all the Compact commitments
A social enterprise called Citizen Society is developing a new way for politicians to connect with disengaged Brits online. The concept is a free to use online public opinion bank – termed the ‘oPob.’ – which launches in January 2010. It will use the idea of social media to empower the voices of people who aren't usually heard and help them to become more involved in the democratic process. Citizen Society hopes to collaborate with organizations such as the National Association of Citizen’s Advice Bureaux in England and Wales and UK Online to move towards establishing the user base.
The Aristotle Onassis International Prizes in Law and in Humanities, created in 2008 by the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation and under the auspices of Institut de France have been awarded. The Law Award was given to Lord Thomas Bingham of Cornhill, Lord High Steward of the University of Oxford, member of the British Academy and in Humanities, jointly to Mr Jean-Yves Empereur research director at CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research) and the founder of the Centre for Alexandrian studies, Alexandria, and Sir John Boardman, Honorary Professor of Art and Classical Archaeology of the Lincoln Chair, University of Oxford, member of the British Academy.
Responding to Government research carried out amongst higher-rate taxpayers about possible changes to Gift Aid John Low, chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation has put his case for Gift Aid. He said: ”Gift Aid provides a vital source of income for UK charities worth around £900m each year but as the Government and charities recognise it needs to be reformed so that we stop losing £750m per year. Under the current system there is too much paperwork and the rules and systems are too complex. We ourselves have a whole warehouse full of declarations. Surely there must be a better way?"
Stephen Bubb, chief executive of ACEVO has responded to a letter on Gift Aid from Ian Pearson MP, economic secretary to the Treasury welcoming what he hopes will be ‘concrete proposals for reform’ presented in their next meeting. In the letter Bubb expresses the vital need for immediate action following the announcement in the pre budget report, of the rise in national insurance which will put added pressure on charities.
With rising unemployment and fewer job vacancies, the current financial crisis has seen renewed policy emphasis in both Europe and the UK on volunteering as a route to employment, according to a new report from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC.) The Value of Volunteering – which features contributions from academics, representatives from the UK government, third sector organisations and volunteers themselves – outlines fresh UK government initiatives to use volunteering to help people into jobs, and offers powerful examples of how volunteering can change people’s lives for the better.
The Black Training & Enterprise Group (BTEG) has launched a report on The State of the Caribbean Voluntary and Community Sector in England based on a national survey of 75 Caribbean voluntary and community organisations (CVCO) across England. The research sets out the important work the Caribbean voluntary and community sector (CVCS) does and highlights the barriers it is facing. Jeremy Crook, BTEG Director, said: “The CVCS plays a vital role in helping to support members of the Caribbean community."
Angela Smith appeared before Parliament on Wednesday 9 December, apologising for her recent decision to divert funding from the Campaigning Research Programme and breaching the Compact. She stated that this was an "isolated breach" of Compact Principles. NCVO subsequently met with Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector, in order to raise its concerns about the way in which the decision was taken.
Charitable donations through online fundraising site Bmycharity, have doubled since the site moved to a commission free model. Donations in November, usually a slow month for fundraising, surpassed £546,000, up from £274,000 a year before. Average donation values have also increased by more than £5 from £54.24 to £59.26 as donors respond to Bmycharity’s “Free my charity” campaign.
Volunteering England, the volunteer development agency, is calling for evidence in January 2010, following the first meeting of the Volunteer Rights Inquiry Panel. The Panel will consider the scope and scale of the issues that face volunteers as reports of serious incidents have threatened to undermine the goodwill and altruism that motivates volunteers.
Alistair Darling announced in his Pre-Budget Report today that the Government would commit up to £75m for the creation of a Social Investment Wholesale Bank and that the bulk of funds would come from dormant bank accounts. The bank will supply funds to existing and emerging financial retailers (such as Charity Bank and Triodos), who would then provide finance packages to charities. Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: “This is a useful first step."
In a keynote speech to Urban Forum's annual conference, Liberal Democrat treasury spokesman, Vince Cable MP, said the long term health of the UK economy needs more community banking, a greater role for credit unions and community-based financial institutions. Speaking at Urban Forum's annual conference, It's The Stupid Economy, Cable said the banking sector was too large in the UK, compared with other countries, such as Germany and France, and needed "a more diverse, competitive, banking sector, which includes stronger mutuals, local community banks and credit unions."
Remember A Charity has launched a new campaign to target professional will providers. The campaign focuses on the importance of will providers’ clients knowing all the options available to them when writing or updating their will, using the theme “Without you, your clients will never know all the choices available to them”. Remember A Charity aims to help professionals give clients the option to leave a gift to their favourite charity.
Although the majority of charities have proved their resilience and maintained a stable income over the past 12 months, they still need to review their business basics and take proactive action if they are to survive long-term, according to a survey from accountancy firm Baker Tilly. Managing charity finances through uncertain times reveals that charities are anticipating another tough 12 months and many face hard decisions in respect of rationalisation, joining forces, selling assets and securing funding
Charities will lag behind the rest of the UK economy in recovering from the recession, with the full impact of funding cuts yet to hit, according to a survey of charity leaders. The NCVO survey shows 77 per cent of respondents believe economic conditions within the voluntary sector will be negative for the next year. This is a small reduction of just 11 percentage points on the survey’s most pessimistic figure from February 2009, when 88 per cent thought the sector economy would get worse.
Rolande Anderson, a director general at the Office for National Statistics, has been appointed the director general for the Office of the Third Sector and the Social Exclusion Taskforce.
The Commission’s guidance on public benefit has been well received by charities – 92% of those who have used it found it useful and two thirds (66%) of them found it easy to understand. Nearly a quarter of trustees (22%) who are aware of the requirement say their charity has revisited its aims as a result.
The Commission for the Compact has today published guidance for local authorities on managing budget revisions that can be due to the loss of expected income or pressure from increased demand for services
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has committed £1m of investment into Venturesome’s funds. Of this investment, £500,000 has been allocated to Venturesome’s Bridging Fund, £250,000 to Venturesome’s Development Fund, and £250,000 to the Innovation Fund
The catch-all clarion call of ‘choice’ undermines charities, their staff and the services they provide, Unite, the largest union in the country, has warned. Unite, which has 60,000 members in the sector, said that politicians, health authorities and local councils were using the mantra of ‘choice’ to drive down the employment conditions for not for profit staff and disrupt the seamless delivery of services
NCVO chief executive Stuart Etherington has called on politicians from all sides for an “honest discussion” over the future role of the voluntary sector. Speaking at NCVO’s Autumn Conference in Manchester, Etherington said he expected to have an open and frank discussion with all political parties about how they see the sector’s involvement in creating the good society in the run-up to the election.
It has come to NCVO’s attention that the Government plans to announce today that it is pulling the £750,000 funding for a Campaigning Research Programme to help small charities campaign and advocate for change. Their efforts were to be monitored as part of research on how small organisations can campaign effectively and how best they can be supported.
The excessive City pay culture is seeping into the remuneration packages of charity bosses and should be curbed, Unite, the largest union in the country, has warned. Unite, which has 60,000 members in the not for profit sector, is concerned that some chief executives are earning more than the Prime Minister’s annual salary of £197,000.
New research from the Centre for the Study of Philanthropy, Humanitarianism and Social Justice (CPHSJ) at the University of Kent has revealed that UK philanthropy, and the desire of wealthy donors to sustain their giving, have remained robust despite the economic downturn.
Officials in central government departments and non-departmental public bodies are taking part in a new national survey to measure the levels of awareness, knowledge, use and understanding of the Compact
The Charity Finance Directors' Group and a group of finance directors from leading charities recently met with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to discuss current taxation issues faced by charities
Productivity across the UK is being significantly undermined by people coming to work with poor mental health as a result of stress and conditions such as anxiety and depression
Nine social enterprises are on the shortlist for the English heat of the national Social Enterprise Awards.
London Advice Services Alliance, a charity which provides ICT and advice services for the third sector, reveals the results of its latest research looking at current challenges and possible solutions for the third sector.
A number of charities and voluntary organisations are going to be taking a major step forward, thanks to a new grant from the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office today
The Government has announced new proposals to try to ensure that credit and store card companies give people a fairer deal, in the latest of a series of reforms designed to make financial services work for consumers
Official third quarter GDP figures from the Office for National Statistics, show the UK economy contracted by an estimated 0.4% in the three months to September.
The consultation on refreshing the Code of Good Governance is now half way
through its duration and has received 170 responses.
A group of third sector bodies have met with Treasury officials to continue discussions on Gift Aid reform and in particular the group's proposals for a change to an "opt out" system
A group of third sector bodies have met with Treasury officials to continue discussions on Gift Aid reform and in particular the group’s proposals for a change to an “opt out” system. Currently Gift Aid is an opt-in system - donors have to say they are eligible and willing to add Gift Aid to their donation.
Online campaign site Louder.org.uk has been launched by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations for campaigners of all levels, from international NGOs to individual grassroots activists
Funding Central has launched an area dedicated to supporting funders, commissioners and loan finance providers with the aim of - helping to bring the two groups together to improve the quality of funding bids and tenders
Richard Hawkes has been appointed the new chief executive of disability charity Scope. Hawkes, who succeeds Jon Sparkes, will join the organisation in early January
Housing and homelessness charity Shelter has appointed Campbell Robb, the current director general of the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office, as its new chief executive
Euclid Network (EN) supports the announcement of the European Commission's (EC) public consultation on the review of the financial regulation, following its campaign to reform European funding for the third sector, but warns it is just the beginning.
The Charity Commission is reminding charities and their trustees of all the services they can access online on the Commission's website to avoid postal delays.
Chris Pond has announced that he is stepping down from his role as chair of Capacitybuilders, due to an increase in the time commitment required by his role as director of financial capability at the Financial Services Authority.
The King's Fund chief executive Niall Dickson has commented on the publication of performance ratings for all 392 NHS trusts in England.
More than a quarter of charity chief executive officers (CEOs) have had their pay frozen in the past year according to a new pay survey by the Association of Charity Chief Executives (ACEVO)
An England-wide scheme to provide a listening ear to adults who suffered trauma in their childhood is amongst 40 projects receiving funding today from the Big Lottery Fund.
Charities, including independent charitable schools, could have up to five years to make any necessary changes if they are not currently meeting the public benefit requirement which now applies to all charities, the chair of the Charity Commission Dame Suzi Leather has affirmed to schools
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is to be part of a consortium, along with Digital Public and RNIB, running the Office of the Third Sector's £2 million pilot fund in London, the West Midlands and the North-West, to help support people with disabilities to volunteer.
Climate change has knocked out every other issue from the environmental activists' agenda in the last nine months, said a new report on NGO campaigning published today
Research published this week by Capacitybuilders highlights the importance of identifying the support needs of third sector organisations through effective diagnosis, and avoiding a 'one-size fits-all' approach to support provision.
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations today launched its new website and online communities at: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk
The Charity Commission has published its Revised Model Memorandum and Articles of Association for Charitable Companies
Britain's charity and voluntary organisations are the "best in the world", says Angela Smith, Minister for the Third Sector.
The chief executives at RNIB, NSPCC, WWF-UK, Save the Children and British Red Cross, and the UK director of fundraising at Barnardo's, have signed up in support of changes to Gift Aid proposed by the Institute of Fundraising.
Donations made to the UK's 170,000 charities have dropped by 11 percent to £9.9bn (£1.3bn in real-terms) according to UK Giving 2009, published today by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).
The Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) announced today that Peter Holbrook will become its new chief executive officer following the departure of Jonathan Bland in the New Year
Big business is maneuvering to increase its influence on international climate change negotiations which could make the difference between an ambitious UN deal in December and a fatally flawed one, says international agency Oxfam
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.
Some voluntary sector organisations expect to both increase the services they offer and their expenditure, the national council for voluntary organisation's (NCVO) latest quarterly charity forecast survey reveals
The Government's commitment to social investment was given a boost today by the Minister for the Third Sector, Angela Smith.
The Charity Commission is urging local charities to become more accountable to donors and the public
The Office of the Third Sector today published a consultation document on a draft Consolidation Bill, which would bring together provisions of the Recreational Charities Act 1958, Charities Act 1993 and most of the Charities Act 2006 into a single piece of legislation
Figures released by Volunteering England show a further rise in volunteering enquiries in 2009.
Voluntary sector umbrella organisation, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has today warned that vital local services could disappear overnight if the voluntary sector is seen as an easy target for government cuts
ACEVO has appointed Liam Cranley to the role of Head of ImpACT. Liam's role will be to coordinate and integrate the activities of the ImpACT Coalition across ACEVO
New research published today reveals that employees in the Third Sector have among the highest levels of trust in their senior management teams
Keith Hickey, chief Executive of the Charity Finance Directors' Group (CFDG) is leaving to become the resources group director at the Royal National Institute for the Blind
Small and medium-sized charities that missed out on the Government's £15.5m targeted support fund will need to quickly reassess and take action to survive, says charity financial management expert Kate Sayer
The Commission for the Compact, the independent body responsible for overseeing the Compact, has published its first Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 March 2009
The Institute of Fundraising (IOF) is backing the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) in the light of reports of differences of opinion about face-to-face fundraising between the PFRA and Wandsworth Council
Charitable trusts and foundations realise now is not the time to turn off the tap of support for Britain's charities, according to new research published today by the Charity Commission
Futurebuilders England has cut the interest rates on its key funds for those third sector organisations looking for immediate investment
Over half of large UK charities have an ethical investment policy, according to a survey conducted by the Charity Finance Directors' Group (CFDG) and the EIRIS Foundation
