Telford & Wrekin CVS Information

Site where we share the latest news and information

Filed under: Fundraising

What stops people...?

Big Society is on the Big Agenda. But what is stopping people from helping out and mucking in?

This is what the Government wanted to know, so they appointed a task force headed by Lord Hodgson to find out.

They were asked to consider how to cut red tape for small charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises (known as Civil Society Organisations or CSO's).

They have produced a really interesting report titled "Unshackling Good Neighbours" (May 2011) and it addresses 3 questions

  • What stops people giving time (Volunteering)?
  • What stops people giving money?
  • What stops CSO's growing?

The answers they have received during the course of their research reflects what is going on in communities. They quote real examples of the barriers CSO's face.

It is refreshing to read this and I hope it gives Government a clue about the red tape we encounter on a regular basis.

At the end of the report they also give some practical, legal pointers, which is and added bonus.

It's 42 pages, but worth the read.

Unshakling Good Neighbours

Click here to download:
unshackling-good-neighbours.pdf (4.69 MB)
(download)

Fundraising on-line. Are you an amateur?

I came across this article by Sandy Rees, who is pretty knowledgeable on fundraising. We are trying to fundraise on-line, so it caught my attention. It doesn't just identify the problems, it also offers solutions. I like that.

Sandy writes:

"You've stuck your toe in the water to see how it feels, but you remain noncommittal. You don't want to be left behind, but you either aren't sure what to do or aren't willing to invest the time (or money) to do it well. After all, everyone else is on Facebook, so you have to be there too, right?"

Here are some surefire signs that you are an Amateur Fundraiser online:

Click here to download:
Amateur_fundraiser_article.pdf (12 KB)
(download)

The power of the BLOG

There are many bloggers out there. Some are good, some not so. I guess it depends on what interests you and whether the blog hits the spot.

This blog has had over 2,700 views in the last month, so I would hope it provides some useful information. If anyone would like to know how to create a blog like this one, let me know. (If there is enough interest we can put on some training)

I have come across a fundraising blog which is well worth mentioning as it has some really useful information on it. I would suggest you have a quick look.

Don't be put off by the name!

Queer ideas

 

Charity Trends

It's difficult writing reports or funding bids at the best of times. It's even harder when you need to put the work of your organisation in context with others in the area. The Charity Commission website gives the option the search for individual charities, but you have to trawl through them all to find information like income, mission, number of volunteers etc.

Well, this little problem has been solved thanks to those wonderful people at the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). They have created a website where you can search registered charities and get the information presented in tables. This is good news for all of us. Better still, it is easy to use and the tables can be saved in MS excel, so you can create pretty charts.

I had a quick go and it works! I'm not sure they have the data about paid staff and volunteers sorted yet, but if you are looking for other statistics, it's there. Now that is something I can get quite excited about!

Below is a picture of the sorts of things you can search for.

Click here to download:
charity_trends_search_screen.pdf (105 KB)
(download)

For more information or to have a go:

www.charitytrends.org

 

How to.....(Part 1)

There is a wealth of expertese and information at you fingertips if they happen to connected to a keyboard and a computer. You just need to know how to find it.

Know How non-profit has a Wiki Site (where anyone can post information) which covers all sorts of topics. The link below takes you to How to write an application to a Charitable Trust. It is one page of tips and things to think about beforehand. Essential reading before you apply to a Trust. Definitely worth the 3 minutes it takes to read!

How to write an application to a Charitable Trust

Big Lottery ReFund

Remember how cross we were about Lottery money going to fund the olympics? Well, the clock is ticking for the Government to pay it back.

The Directory of Social Change has set up a campaigning website where you can very quickly and easily ask the Prime Minister to to publicly tell us when the Government will pay back the £425 million to the Big Lottery Fund.

Can we afford to let this one slide?

visit the site:  Big Lottery Refund

 

Trying to fundraise in tough times?

Fundraising is an important core income stream for all non-profit organisations especially in times of recession.  So what elements of your cause's business should you continue to find funding for and where should you be looking for those all important funding streams?

Have a look at this webpage and give it a try.   Knowhow

Let us know what you think by using the response button!

Big Society Bank- don't make me laugh

Well actually, it has made me laugh. This was thanks to a sketch I found on the Directory of Social Change website.

I think this sums up the frustrations and confusion felt all around us. Just a bit of fun during very serious times...

Click here to download:
A_man_walks_into_a_bank.docx (14 KB)
(download)

Looking for Funding?

There is now a website where you can search for funding yourself.

This site is easy to navigate. You will need to register (it is FREE) and input information about your group/ organisation, what you do and what you need funding for.

Give it a go and let us know if it works for you. You can do this by sending a response to this blog post.

You can always contact us at CVS if you need more help.

http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/Default.aspx

 
Posterous theme by Cory Watilo
  
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