It’s only been three weeks or so since the last sustainable funding roundup, but the world doesn’t stand still, that’s for sure. Here’s a summary of what’s been happening, in case you missed it.
Charity Commission publishes updated fundraising guidance
The Charity Commission’s new CC20 guidance for fundraising has just been published (8 June), so we’re adding it to this post after publication. It’s attracted mixed responses from sector bodies.
The Commission has said that Charity fundraising: a guide to trustee duties (CC20), which calls for trustees to ensure that fundraising reflects their charity’s values, was part of its response to some of the high-profile problems identified with fundraising practices over the past year.
It sets out six key principles aimed at helping trustees comply with their legal duties on fundraising. The Institute of Fundraising and NCVO both said they were pleased with the guidance but the Charity Finance Group said it was worried that it focused too much on the costs of fundraising and overheads.
The Queen’s speech and grant transparency
There’s been the Queen’s speech, of course. This featured a small charitable donations bill which is of relevance to those interested in sustainable funding. The government is currently consulting on the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme, and NCVO will be responding.
Transparency around public spending is an important issue, and there have been recent developments in this area, summed up neatly in this blog post by Bethan Hacche.
News from the opt-in working group
Mike Adamson, chief executive of The Red Cross and chair of the special working group looking to develop recommendations on principles that should underpin charities’ relationships with their donors, has written a helpful piece on the blog.
A key point that he makes is that ‘charities must not presume that consent lasts forever, and must ensure consent is appropriately refreshed’.
How might this affect the way your charity operates? I know from experience that many ask permissions at the point of collecting data, and most give ‘unsubscribe’ type messages, but do you have a programme for the re-asking of consent? Food for serious thought.
Big Lottery Fund consultation
The government has issued a consultation on new policy directions for the Big Lottery Fund, following the publication of the fund’s new strategy last year. NCVO will be looking closely at the changes and replying in due course. Do you have any comments on the consultation? If so, please do drop a line to Michael Birtwistle. The consultation closes on 12 August.
Other fundraising discussion
- ‘I was warned I’d lose friends if I joined the fundraising watchdog’ – Lucy Caldicott writes in The Guardian about joining the board of the new Fundraising Regulator.
- ‘What do donors actually read when you write to them?’ – Mark Phillips.
- In ‘Share and share alike – until we’re all doing exactly the same thing’ Joe Jenkins warns against organisations becoming too similar by copying each others’ practices.
- In ‘Certainties in uncertain times’ Tobin Aldrich writes about the uncertainties, challenges but also the opportunities that may lie ahead with forthcoming changes to fundraising regulation and data protection practice.
Training and events
Here are some of the courses and events offered by NCVO that are particularly relevant to the sustainability agenda:
- Writing successful bids – 10 June
If you need help making your funding bid stand out, you can come and learn the ‘tricks of the trade’ here!
- Turning ideas into income – 13 June
This course covers the key issues in setting up or growing trading activity within your organisation. It will help you assess the viability of your ideas and develop an action plan to get started.
- The new fundraising regulation landscape – 24 June
This one is a half-day session with an expert panel of speakers who will give detailed updates on important issues such as CC20, the new fundraising regulator and the fundraising preference service.
- Understanding the numbers: Financial intelligence for trustees – 18 November
The aim of this session is to give you increased confidence and greater ability to review and assess financial information. This is such an important area for all trustees.
You can always contact us about training or consultancy support.
If you have anything you think we should include in next month’s round-up, please do drop me a line.
Richard Sved is an NCVO sustainable funding consultant. He has worked and volunteered in the charity sector for 25 years. He has led the fundraising function (in-house and as an interim) for six national charities, including National Literacy Trust, Leap Confronting Conflict and Girlguiding. 
