Free Publications & Guides
Contents:
Mergers, Collaborations and Consortia
Free E-Course - Partnership Working and How to Survive it
Acces3ability
This e-course contains a series of reflections and exercises that will challenge you to examine your attitudes to partnership working, how you go about building relationships, networking, getting support and taking the initiative.
NAVCA Mergers Resources
NAVCA (and various third party organisations)
This webpage hosts a variety of links and documents to help you with the merger process. A good place to start is the 'information sources on mergers document' (Word)
Making Mergers Work: Helping You Succeed
Charity Commission
This document provides practical help to any charity which is considering, planning or progressing a merger.
Checklist for Mergers
Charity Commission
A simple guide of what they need to think about when considering a merger.
Dissolution and Removal from the Register of Charities
Charity Commission
This document provides guidance on the process of dissolution and removal of your organisation from the Register of Charities.
Collaborative Working and Mergers (CC34)
Charity Commission
Guidance for any charities considering working in partnership or merging with other organisations.
Charity Mergers: Tackling the Issues in Practice
Social Finance
Publication exploring the issues and barriers associated with charity mergers.
What Place for Mergers between Charities
New Philanthropy Capital
This publication looks at whether mergers can benefit the charity sector.
When it Comes to a Merger, Don't Forget Pensions
Ian Bird, Foster Denovo
The pressures of recent financial times have seen an increase in the numbers of charities merging. When deciding to merge with another charity, it is essential that organisations consider any pension scheme and employee benefits as part of their due diligence procedure.
Forewarned is Forearmed: Critical Factors for Mergers
Ben Cairns, The Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR)
IVAR has recently carried out a review of one organisation's mergers with four smaller players in the same field to identify lessons learned from their experience. Director Ben Cairns reports on its findings.
Partnerships and Mergers
Nigel Kippax and David Seall, KC Stable
This publication is targeted at organisations who work with other organisations in order to cut costs. It looks at three types of partnerships, from a simple working relationship to a full merger. It highlights the risk, benefits and challenges associated with each scenario.
Fundraising:
Fundraising in the 21st Century: Different Medium, Same Message
adviceforgood
A helpful article on how to bring your fundraising techniques up to speed.
Voluntary Sector Support: Funding ResourcesNCB, VSS
A helpful summary listing all available funding methods for voluntary organisations.
'A Bigger Slice or Less Pie - Why Charities Should Invest To Grow'
Jonathan Baker, NFP Synergy
This publication explains why charities should invest in fundraising during the recession.
Defending Local Grants Guide
The Local Grants Forum has released this guide through fears that the recession is likely to reduce grant funding from local authorities.
Business Processes
Lean Working
This article discusses two methods of lean working that can help your organisation become more efficient; eliminating wasted time, effort and costs.
Community Asset Transfer
Birmingham City Council
Here you can follow the progress of work at two Birmingham pilots, pick up general lessons learnt on asset transfer during the development programme as well as more up to date information on the Community Asset Transfer Protocol and new transfers and experiences.
HR Information
Roots HR
Free advice on human resources. If you need information on ending employment, employee relations, data protection or parental rights (and more!) then this site is for you.
Procurement Rules Flowchart
Which procurement rules do commissioners have to follow when procuring a service? Or looked at from another angle, when are they free not to apply procurement regulations? NAVCA have developed a flowchart and accompanying guidance to try and make this complex are more straightforward.
A Beginner's Guide to Commissioning
NAVCA
The guide covers: what commissioning is, why it is important for development workers, ways of supporting organisations and ideas for working with the public sector.
There are also useful checklists on developing effective local networks, gathering relevant evidence for tendering and working out what you need to know.
Saving for the NHS
ACEVO
This report looks at the role of the third sector in developing significantly better health care outputs for the same level of resource.
Employment Tax Developments 2010/11
SpeechlyBirchams, Feb 2011
This document informs the reader of recent draft legislation, new case decisions, and administrative (PAYE) changes.
Changes in Employment Law 2011
SpeechlyBirchams, Feb 2011
This concise document explains the recent changes to employment law
Using Creativity to Enhance Employee Engagement and Internal Communications
small back room
Organisational change and development depend heavily on internal communication and employee engagement, and with many voluntary sector organisations cutting costs and rethinking their internal structures, the issue of internal communication is more important than ever. This toolkit is designed to provide a practical framework for developing a successful internal communications system within your organisation.
Employer Guidance
HR Social Care
Redundancies are an unfortunate inevitablity given the current state of funding. This paper covers the process of having to make and enforce difficult decisions in employment.
Save Energy, Save Money, Generate Good PR
BusinessLink
A short, succinct guide to saving your organisation energy, money and benefitting through good PR.
Preparing for Cuts: NPC Research
NPC
Advice on altering methods of funding and encouraging funders to continue donating as charities are forced to move away from government funding.
Resources to Help Organisations Adapt to the Changing Environment
ACEVO
A list detailing sites and resources available for free advice on the transition fund and other structural issues.
Top Tips for Avoiding the Spending Cuts
ImpACT Coalition
In light of the recent Comprehensive Spending Review, we have put together 10 top tips to help you strengthen your relationship with your funders and more effectively demonstrate the difference your organisation makes.
How to Survive the Cuts
Cheryl Turner
How can organisations survive the cuts that will take place. Cheryl Turner shares essential tips on how third sector organisations can exist in these difficult times. What is the best way of demonstrating your outcomes? Collaboration or competition? Read the paper to find out.
Improving Employee Engagement in the Voluntary Sector - a guide for and by Chief Executives
ACEVO Members
Employee engagement is vital at the best of times, but more crucial than ever in times of economic uncertainty and public spending cuts. It is also, quite simply, a key part of any Chief Executive's role. This article has been created by a group of Chief Executives of voluntary sector organisations, thrown together only because they were known to be interested in employee engagement.
Service Delivery in a Cost Constrained Environment
Connect Assist
Efficient service delivery that reaches more people for less and has great impact on the lives of the people you help is the real opportunity available to charities.
Lean Approaches in the Third Sector
Nigel Kippax and Robin Walker, KC Limited
During difficult times it's tempting for leaders to focus on raising funds or cutting services. However, working more effectively and efficiently can also provide a significant source of reward. This article examines 'lean approaches', a methodology to help your organisation make-every-penny-count by understanding what really adds value to the services you provide.
Making Risk Management Simple - Insight Guide for Non-Profit Organisations
Paul Emery, Zurich
During the challenging times of spending cuts, risk management is important for charities. It optimises a charity's chance of gaining their share of the reduced number of public sector contracts, as they can prove they are following simple best practice 'rules'. Risk management can also help a charity to only spend the proportionate amount on identifying, managing, mitigating and insuring their risks, therefore freeing up time and resources to look after their cause.
Making Every Penny Count - Achieving Excellence in the Third Sector
KC Limited, 2010
Times are getting tougher in the third sector. The challenge for third sector leaders is not just to secure funds but also to make better use of the funds that are available. This report examines the drivers for change and highlights the most critical areas that need considering.
Looking Around Corners - Refreshing Risk Management
Pesh Framjee, Horwath Clark Whitehill, March 2010
Risk management has been around for some time and now organisations are looking for ways to get greater value out of the process. This publication highlights the importance of risk management for organisations.
Achieving Lasting Change
Pesh Framjee, CFDG Annual Conference, May 2010
This presentation highlights the need to drive change and real transformation in these challenging times.
Becoming a More Effective Nonprofit Board
Bridgestar, The Bridgespan Group, 2009
Board performance is widely recognised as a critical ingredient in a non-profit organisation's ability to achieve impact. The Bridgespan Group have produced this publication on non-profit governance and understanding the drivers of better performance.
Business Planning for Nonprofits: The Organisational and Leadership Benefits
Bridgestar, The Bridgespan Group, 2009
Developing a business plan is an intense and time-consuming process, and yet can have many significant benefits. This article explores three organisational and leadership benefits of effective business planning.
Considering and Evaluating Internal Candidates for Senior-Level Nonprofit Positions
Bridgestar, The Bridgespan Group, 2009
Promoting from within can greatly ease the tricky task of finding someone who fits the organisation's culture and of getting the new hire up to speed. But what do you do when that internal candidate isn't a perfect fit for the job they seek?
Change Management Jane Hirst, KC Limited
Research shows that you can develop the best change plans using the most innovative methods but if you haven't involved and really engaged with your people the failure rate can be as high as 80%! The way we plan and manage change has become an essential skill for all leaders. This article shares some key messages that emerge from the 'change' workshops.
Working with the Private Sector:
Pushing at Open Doors: A Guide to Building Cross-Sector Learning Relationships
This 'How to' Guide offers tips and experiences on how to successfully 'open doors' with leaders in the public and private sectors.
Win- Win:The leadership of private and third sector public service partnerships
In association with CBI, ACEVO have published 'Win- Win' - a report on third sector-private sector partnerships.
Meet the Changemakers
The ability of a third sector organisation to engage effectively with private companies and public agencies will be a key determinant of their success in working towards their mission. This collection of reflections by third sector organisation leaders will allow you to question whether efforts are being made to continue innovative offerings and pragmatic approaches and whether needs of beneficaries are put above all else.
Working with the Public Sector:
Pushing at Open Doors: A Guide to Building Cross-Sector Learning Relationships
This 'How to' Guide offers tips and experiences on how to successfully 'open doors' with leaders in the public and private sectors.
The Organised Efforts of Society: The Role of the Voluntary Sector in Improving the Lives of the Population
ACEVO
This article argues that there has been too much emphasis on the public sector's role in public health, and not enough inclusion of the voluntary sector in the "organised efforts of society".
CDF Community Development Survey
Community Development Foundation
This survey of Community Development practitioners provides a great evidence base on which to build our knowledge of the important role and impact practitioners play in community life. This free survey provides extensive background oin the benefits, implications, responsibilities and the effect of cuts in community development organisations across England.
How to Safeguard Sector Stability - Using your Compact
Compact Voice
This is a tool which will help local authorities make "smart cuts", rather than unstrategic short term cost savings. Every local area in the country is covered by a Local Compact, and the principles of this agreement will be critical for navigating the new funding relationship.
Key Compact Principles for the Economic Downturn
Compact Voice
This document outlines the key Compact principles and what they mean in the economic downturn.
Meet the Changemakers
The ability of a third sector organisation to engage effectively with private companies and public agencies will be a key determinant of their success in working towards their mission. This collection of reflections by third sector organisation leaders will allow you to question whether efforts are being made to continue innovative offerings and pragmatic approaches and whether needs of beneficaries are put above all else.
Meeting the news needs of local communities
This report, commissioned by Media Trust and written by Goldsmith Goldsmith Media Research Centre, highlights the inextricable link between a vibrant local media and proper accountability and democracy.
Public spending cuts and the voluntary and community sector
This paper, presented by NAVCA Chief Executive Kevin Curley at NAVCA's Cuts Seminar held on 25 August, is now available on the NAVCA website.
Finance
Charity Sector Economics Update
RBS, 29 March 2011
The key themes of the 2011 budget and how they affect the third sector, including what the figures say and a summary.
Social Investment
Social Investment Business
Social investment is the provision and use of finance to generate social, or social as well as economic, returns. The Social Investment Business is the fastest growing social investor in the UK, helps social enterprises, charities and community organisations by providing financial solutions and business support. Click the link to see their latest advice and resources.
Social Impact Bonds
Social Finance
This website hosts a wealth of information on Social Impact Bonds, including information relevant to specific sectors.
Social Impact Bonds: General Information
Social Finance
This 3 page document outlines the general information and FAQs on Social Impact Bonds with reference to HMP Peterbrough.
Improving Cost ControlPublicTechnology
Managing expenses and cutting costs are more important than ever as organisations find themselves making difficult choices. This report provides examples of successful cost control and a summary of what organisations need to do to succeed.
Mapping The Gaps: Income Generation SupportFreshminds, ACEVO
Produced by Freshminds this report explores the gaps that currently exist between the income generation needs of frontline organisations and the support available to them. An excellently researched report that can assist greatly in disversifying an income generation plan.
Are You Ready For 20% VAT?PKF, Accountants and Business Advisers
The standard rate of VAT goes up to 20% on 4 January 2011. This helpful document lists tips on getting the most out of suppliers before and after the increase.
Mapping the Gaps: Income Generation Support
Freshminds Research, ACEVO
In a climate of extreme change, diversifying income sources and noting the impact on frontline organisations and support charities is of extensive use to many organisations. This paper provides a number of annotated facts and figures to assist in helping find and analyse sources of income.
How dependent is the third sector on public funding? Evidence from the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations
Dr David Clifford, Frida Geyne Rajme and Professor John Mohan, TSRC, October 2010
The purpose of this paper is to use the NSTSO data to present, for the first time, a detailed picture of the numbers of third sector organisations which receive income from statutory sources, the types of statutory sources upon which they draw, and their perceptions of the importance of such sources of income to their activities.
Voluntary organisations working with deprived groups most likely to be reliant on public sector funding.
Press Release, TSRC
New research from TSRC reveals which parts of the third sector rely most heavily on public sector funding streams.
Budget 2010
Direct Gov, June 2010
Full report of the emergency budget
Spending Review Framework
HM Treasury, June 2010
This document provides details of the processes that will underpin the Spending Review.
Office for Budget Responsibility Pre-Budget Forecast, June 2010
HM Treasury, 14 June 2010
This is the first pre-Budget forecast published by the Office for Budget Responsibility on Monday 14 June 2010.
Economic Indicators June 2010, Research Paper 10/39
House of Commons Library, 01 June 2010
A research paper on the main economic indicators for the UK, as well as comparisons with other major OECD countries.
Charities and Insolvency
Howarth Clark Whitehill have prepared a detailed guide covering issues of fund accounting, negative balance sheets, wrongful trading and the responsibilities of trustees. This is available on their document library to CFDG members.
Third Sector - Recession and Resilience
Read the SCVO's report on the impact of the recession on third sector organisations in rural areas of Scotland.
Real Help with Finance
Business Link have developed an interactive tool to allow charities to quickly and esily find out if the governments new schemes and measures to provide real help now to businesses through the downturn are suitable for your organisation.
Big Board Talk: The Economic Downturn - 15 Questions Trustees Should Ask
Charity Commission
This publication from Charity Commission looks at the impact of the economic downturn on charities and discusses the areas that trustees should be focusing on during this time.
Resources and Funding Guide
Skills for Care, February 2010
This guide to resources and funding signposts employers and learners in the adult social care sector to a diverse range of resources and funding freely available to support individual, organisational and workforce development.
Weather Protection?
Pesh Framjee, Horwath Clark Whitehill, April 2009
The tough economic times are forcing charities to look hard at their reserves policy. This publication highlights why active reserves management is now vital.
Dealing with the Unexpected
Pesh Framjee, Horwath Clark Whitehill, October 2009
Uncertain times challenge key assumptions for finance directors including strategy and scenario planning, risk management, structures and operations, reserves and treasury management.
Righting Public Law Wrongs: Challenge Unfairness
Compact Voice, April 2010
'Public bodies should follow the Compact, giving full and proper consideration to the commitments and undertakings in it when making decisions, and justifying any departure from them.' This is a briefing about challenging bad (i.e. non Compact compliant) funding decisions.
Managing Financial Difficulties and Insolvency in Charities
Charity Commission
This guidance provides advice and information for trustees of charities that are facing financial difficulties. It will also be of general use to charities that want to minimise the risk of insolvency by putting in place effective financial management.
Demonstrating Impact
Principles in to Practice: how charities and social enterprises communicate impact This collection of case studies and insights from across the sector shows the importance of measuring impact. Though never easy or straightforward, understanding impact can help with
- decisions on investment in services
- reassuring donors and grant-makers
- providing strategic insight
- giving feedback to staff and volunteers
Helping Grantees Focus on Impact
New Philanthropy Capital
This report suggests new methods and highlights existing ways funders are supporting their grantees to measure their impact.
Scaling Up for the Big Society
Martin Brookes, New Philanthropy Capital, May 2010
Suggests ways to assess evidence of impact and social benefit and providing guidance on what to charities should scale up and how to do it.
General Articles
Simply Legal
Co-operatives UK
A clear, simple and understandable guide to the legal and governance processes required to support the third sector - from co-operatives to social enterprises. Second edition.
Internal Communication 2.0: A Cultural Challenge
Alejandro Formanchuk
A useful paper by technology blogger Alejandro Formanchuk on the challenges of communication in Web 2.0 when coupled with cultural differences.
Using the Internet For FundraisingKnow How Nonprofit
A comprehensive 'to the point' article on using the Internet to generate funds for your organisation. Includes an overview of social media campaigns, website management and using all the tools available to you when launching an online presence.
Seven tips for Marketers
Milward Brown UK
Millward Brown UK has released seven tips for marketers to help their brands thrive in the current uncertain market climate.
In a Recession, Put Everyone in Marketing
Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Harvard Business Review
Are you facing falling customer orders? Slower renewals? Cancellations? Requests for ever-deeper discounts?
How online sponsorship changes the way we give
Elizabeth Diffin, BBC News Magazine
Fundraising websites are now a popular way of collecting money for a good cause. But what impact have they had on sponsoring people and have they helped charities?
Charity donation hit by recession
BBC News
More than half of charities in England and Wales have been hit by the recession, a survey has suggested
Philanthropy: Barriers to Giving
Barclays Wealth
This paper presents the very latest findings from a deeper analysis of the UK and US survey data, to understand what is holding the wealthy back from giving more to charity
