ACEVO is to take over the running of the ImpACT Coalition, following talks with the Institute of Fundraising.

ImpACT’s agenda is to improve transparency and accountability, and has been based at the Institute of Fundraising for the last two years.

The move to ACEVO comes at a time where there is a clear need to focus on engaging with chief executives to drive the behaviour changing coalition on to its next level.

Seb Elsworth, head of strategy at ACEVO, said: “The ImpACT agenda is very important for ACEVO and the logic of us playing a leadership role in getting chief executives engaged became very clear throughout the discussions. This is a real case of working in partnership with the Institute and with the Coalition members.

“We are still finalising the details of the transfer, which should happen in late May/early June but in the meantime we will be actively seeking the views of the steering group and the members around how to effect a real change in the transparency and accountability of charities so that we continue to benefit from the public’s trust and confidence. Once we have this feedback we will then look at the resources necessary to support the coalition and we are committed to its sustainability.”

Lindsay Boswell, chief executive of the Institute of Fundraising, said: “Having funded ImpACT for the last two years we’ve been talking to other sector bodies about their closer engagement with the Coalition. Out of these conversations the potential to tap into ACEVO’s core policy agenda and to elevate ImpACT’s work was identified.

“It makes real clear strategic sense to ask ACEVO to bring chief executives closer to this agenda. We will continue to play an active role as one of the steering group members and the Coalition’s Chair, Alan Gosschalk, is also an Institute trustee.”

The Institute of Fundraising has been looking to secure the long term future of ImpACT and has been supported with funding from PFRA, CFDG and CAF. The move to ACEVO completes this work.

The current ImpACT Director, Dr Richard Marsh, will subsequently leave his post at the end of April but the Institute of Fundraising is looking to continue to benefit from his services as a consultant providing support during the transition period.

Dr Richard Marsh commented: “The planned move to ACEVO makes total sense as the evidence from the Coalition shows that it requires a key person to take ownership in driving this agenda forward, ideally an organisation’s chief executive.

“ImpACT has, over the last two years built up more than 275 members and successfully launched its toolkit which allows charities to measure themselves in this area. More than 50 charities have so far done this, which will help inform and shape ImpACTs future.”