Giving in the UK
CAF have published the latest edition of their UK giving report, looking at giving behaviour in the UK. The report suggests that the proportion of adults giving to charity has fallen from 69% of the population to 65% in three years. Some have been quick to suggest the drop is linked to a decline in public trust in charities. We believe, however, that other factors shouldn’t be overlooked, such as the implementation of GDPR and changes in ways people support good causes. See Karl Wilding’s blog post for more on this. Rhodri Davies’ thread is also worth taking a look at:
https://twitter.com/Rhodri_H_Davies/status/1125783669904429056
Standardising grant applications
In response to grant applications that can often be onerous for charities – particularly smaller ones – Brevio are working with academics at the University of Bath to create a more efficient, less wasteful and standardised system. To help identify the wastage and inefficiencies of the current system, they want to hear from charities about their experiences of current grant application processes.
Mission and money aligned: charities and responsible investment
The EIRIS Foundation are holding a free, half-day event for charities and foundations on all aspects of ‘good money’ for charities. Workshops will focus on aligning your charity’s mission and values with its financial goals and decisions. Discussion topics include the role of charities in building a more sustainable economy, fossil-free portfolios, impact investment and financing the sustainable development goals, and practical advice for small charities. The event will take place in London, 11 July. Register to attend here.
NCVO response to local government finance inquiry
Ahead of the 2019 spending review expected this autumn, the housing, communities and local government committee is looking at how effective the current system of local government finance is in providing resources to meet need and demand for local services. NCVO submitted written evidence to the committee in partnership with the Charity Finance Group, the Lloyd’s Bank Foundation and NAVCA highlighting the impact that recent changes to local government finance have had on voluntary organisations and on their capacity to support local communities.
Update from the Charity Tax Commission 
The Charity Tax Commission has met with members of its advisory and reference groups to discuss the Commission’s provisional recommendations. The Commission is nearing the end of its work and due to publish its final report in parliament in July.
Gift Aid donor benefit rules ‘relevant value’ test changed
Changes to the relevant value test in the Gift Aid donor benefit rules have come into effect, replacing the three-tier threshold with two thresholds. The change should help to avoid the problems of the cliff-edge effect that many charities faced which led some not to claim Gift Aid. The Charity Tax Group have more information.
Updated financial procedures content on Knowhow
We’ve updated our financial procedures content on Knowhow, including our member only templates for a financial procedures manual for smaller charities.
Making Tax Digital and fundraising
HMRC has updated its guidance on accounting for VAT under the new Making Tax Digital framework. It includes potentially helpful rules for accounting for VAT on fundraising events.
Government publishes ‘blueprint’ for dormant assets
The government has published The Dormant Assets Scheme: A blueprint for expansion which sets out how to expand the dormant assets scheme and release more funds for ‘good causes’. It also calls for more transparency about how dormant account money is used and says that the Reclaim Fund’s annual report should be ‘made more prominent and readily accessible’.
NCVO is part of an alliance of charity bodies that has long been calling on the government to use the funding released from dormant assets for the creation of a community wealth fund.
Social value in government procurement
The government is consulting on how government should take account of social value when it awards contracts, including the introduction of an ‘evaluation model’ to test whether social value is being adequately incorporated into central government procurement. NCVO will be submitting a response. The consultation closes on 10 June 2019.
NCVO/BWB Trustee Conference – 4 November 2019
Join us as we explore what good governance looks like for modern charities, using the principles of the Charity Governance Code. Book by Friday 6 September for the early bird discount.
Training
- Charity finance for non-financial managers – 24 May
- Generating income and achieving impact – 24 June
- NCVO/Zurich risk seminar – 2 July in Manchester
- Charity leadership in the 2020s – starting in October
Paul joined NCVO over seven years ago after working for a leading public affairs agency. Since then he’s led our policy work on a variety of issues, including welfare-to-work reforms, volunteering, the Compact, public service commissioning and procurement regulations. He now leads our work on funding and finance with a particular focus on charity tax relief and safeguarding EU funding post-Brexit. 
