Charities aren't allowed to trade - right?
Julian Lomas
It’s a common myth that charities are not allowed to trade. They are, and most do. This post provides a simple guide to the rules on charity trading.
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Stay up to date with developments in the sector and our latest thinking on issues affecting charities and social enterprises.
A fundraising success story
Julian Lomas
In challenging times when fundraising is tougher than ever it’s great to be able to share a fundraising success story. Amersham Band have recently completed their £0.5 million new band room project and now have a wonderful, purpose built rehearsal space and community asset. Congratulations to Amersham Band
Read MoreHow charities can build resilience, even in testing times
Julian Lomas
As 2021 gets underway and the environment in which charities and social enterprises operate appears to be even more volatile and uncertain than ever, the resilience of many organisations is being tested to its limits. But what makes for a resilient organisation and how resilience be improved?
Read MoreAlmond Tree wishes you a restful Christmas and New Year
Julian Lomas
We wish all our clients, and everyone working so hard to sustain vital charity services and support a restful and enjoyable Christmas and New Year and look forward to working with you in 2021.
Read MoreWhat might "levelling up" mean for charities?
Julian Lomas
Danny Kruger report Levelling up our communities: proposals for a new social covenant, released in September 2020 includes some interesting ideas on the role of civil society in rebuilding after Covid. In our view, however, while these proposals (if implemented) may offer opportunities for the sector, as ever, its destiny lies in its own hands. Now is the time for radical thinking from within the sector itself.
Read MorePlanning in challenging times for charities
Julian Lomas
We have heard a lot recently about how difficult it is to make plans in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment, and, while it is challenging, it is also necessary. This blog reflects a little on how small and medium sized charities and social enterprises can go about planning for an unknown future.
Read MoreA checklist for good Behavioural Governance
Julian Lomas
Good Behavioural Governance practice is hard to define and in pressured times most people don’t have the time to read extensively on the subject. This blog offers a short checklist of good practice in Behavioural Governance.
Read MoreWhat's going on with charity grant funding?
Julian Lomas
Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit there have been seismic shifts in the charitable grant funding market and the likelihood is that the volatility will continue for a while. This blog briefly explores what we think is going on and how smaller charities can navigate the volatility, uncertainty, complexity and (often) ambiguity.
Read MoreTips for writing a great grant application
Julian Lomas
From time to time we’re asked for our top tips for writing a good bid for grant funding. So here goes.
Read MoreWho are your charity's members and what are they for?
Julian Lomas
Many charities with a wider membership don’t know who the Members are and often treat them as silent partners in the charity. This articles outlines why it is important to maintain an accurate and secure register of Members and to ensure Members are treated (and used) properly.
Read MoreThe Trustee board's role in Covid-19 recovery
Julian Lomas
With Government support for organisations most hit by Covid-19 now unwinding, all charities need to be investing time and effort in future strategic planning and developing new business models. But do they have the right skills at board level to do that?
Read MoreTo merge or not to merge - is that the question?
Julian Lomas
With the pandemic having profound impacts on the finances and operations of almost all charities there’s a lot of talk of consolidation in the sector over the next few years. Will there be more charity mergers? And should there be?
Read MoreHow optimistic should charities be post lockdown?
Julian Lomas
While there continue to be many indicators of severe impacts of Covid-19 on the charity sector, we believe there are grounds for optimism if funders and policy makers focus on supporting those who need help to survive and who can chart a positive future for their charity.
Read MoreWhere does the money go?
Julian Lomas
This article argues that charities need to get much better at evidencing the impact of their work. That way they can stop hiding behind misleading statistics about what proportion of the money they raise goes to the so called “frontline”.
Read MoreWhich charities will survive the pandemic?
Julian Lomas
The Covid-19 pandemic has hit the charity sector hard and predictions for the future seem gloomy to say the least. This short article explores the question of which charities are likely to survive and what that means for society.
Read MoreRestarting fundraising as lockdown eases
Julian Lomas
After nearly four months of lockdown and with restrictions easing, charities are grappling with what the new normal might look like for fundraising. The Fundraising Regulator recently issued guidance on fundraising affected by social distancing and this post looks at what that guidance says,
Read MoreFundraising for Jewish charities
Julian Lomas
Fundraising for faith-based causes can often pose additional challenges. While many of the same principles apply, there are some important differences to fundraising for secular causes, including the need to choose potential grant funders carefully. in this article we explore this topic, in particular with Jewish charities in mind.
Read MoreIn the Fundraising Regulator working?
Julian Lomas
Nearly 5 years on from the tragic death of Olive Cooke, this short article explore whether the Fundraising Regulator’s latest Complaints Report tell us anything about the impact the regulator may, or may not, be having on fundraising practice.
Read MoreWhich online giving platform should I use?
Julian Lomas
In the last decade there has been an explosion in online giving platforms. The resulting diversity makes it almost impossible to compare the costs of different platforms. Do small charities need more help navigating this increasingly crowded marketplace?
Read MoreWhat does easing lockdown mean for charities in practice?
Julian Lomas
With lockdown easing what does this mean in practice for charities? What practical measures do you need to put in place as part of your “restart plan”?
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