Analysis: Charity Business - When outsourcing goes wrong

Analysis: Charity Business - When outsourcing goes wrong: When the financial outsourcing company Charity Business collapsed earlier this year, scores of charities were left without the data needed to run their organisations. David Ainsworth reports

On 12 January, Charity Business, an outsourcing company offering financial services to charities, sent an email to its estimated 200 clients saying that it was closing with immediate effect. The move came as a bolt from the blue for many of its charity clients, which relied on it for payroll, bookkeeping and accounting services.

The religious give more to charity, according to CAF report: Religious people donate more than twice as much to charity as those who are not, according to a survey by the Charities Aid Foundation.

CAF found that those who said they had religious beliefs gave an average of �576 to charity over the previous year, compared with �235 by people with no religious faith.

However, only 31 per cent of religious donors had given money to a religious activity.

The top two causes for both religious and non-religious donors were medical charities and overseas aid.

Business in the Community Conference - Number 10

Business in the Community Conference - Number 10: o help small businesses get involved in responsible practice, and to help get more young people into work the Prime Minister also set out plans for:

The launch of “Trading for Good” a new online directory for SMEs that will showcase the good work they do in the community; and provide free toolkits to help businesses get involved in socially responsible practices, like offering apprenticeships and work experience and setting up a payroll giving scheme, and,
A new careers advice web-based service – led by businesses and charitable partners – that will help inspire and support young people aged 11-24 in preparing for their future careers. It will also advertise entry-level jobs, apprenticeships and placements. Later this year they’ll launch a major website – the one-stop-shop for the best careers advice;

Nothing's Certain But Death and Taxes: A Brief Guide to Planned Giving Programs: Nothing's Certain But Death and Taxes: A Brief Guide to Planned Giving Programs
By Benita Aalto
February 27, 2012

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"The biggest wealth transfer in history is set to take place," stated a BMO Retirement Institute Report in July 2009. "In Canada, it has been estimated that Boomers stand to inherit $1 trillion over the next 20 years."

Though the actual inherited amount is acknowledged to be variable and dependent on market fluctuations, it is big enough for many nonprofits to see planned giving, bequests, and other end-of-life gifts seem as a beacon of steady funding in a turbulent sea of grants and a shrinking donor base.

The unexpected challenges and benefits of building a business plan - Civil Society - Governance - Blogs - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

The unexpected challenges and benefits of building a business plan - Civil Society - Governance - Blogs - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: In last month’s blog I wrote about my new focus on developing our charity’s organisational capacity and the varied work this is entailing. Since then, I’ve been working on the one thing that ties all of this wide-ranging work together: creating our business plan.

Although I was familiar with the term “business plan” before we started the process, this is the first time I’ve ever been involved in creating one.

The business plan encapsulates pretty much everything about our charity. From articulating what we do and how we manage ourselves, to describing how we plan to build upon identified opportunities and tackle weaknesses - the business plan covers it all.

City's sons and daughters bring wealth|Charity|chinadaily.com.cn

City's sons and daughters bring wealth|Charity|chinadaily.com.cn: Many of the city's improvements in the last decades are a direct result of the philanthropic endeavors of generations of Ningbo natives who now live in Hong Kong.

These former Ningbo people who moved to the special administrative region have given back to their coastal hometown through donations, establishing charity funds and investing in projects to help the city's economic development.

As Charity and Fraud Move Online, Survey Finds Canadian Millennials are Cavalier with Personal Info - Press Release - Digital Journal

Press Release

As Charity and Fraud Move Online, Survey Finds Canadian Millennials are Cavalier with Personal Info - Press Release - Digital Journal: ORONTO, Feb. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - A new survey commissioned by CanadaHelps.org and Capital One Canada, as part of Fraud Awareness Month, found that 45% of millennials (aged 18-34 years) are taking no steps to ensure a charity is legitimate before making a donation, and more than half (52%) are spontaneous, "on the fly" donors. This kind of behaviour puts millenials at risk for fraud because they are casually handing over their hard-earned money and personal information with little to no planning or due diligence.

Latest from Alliance | Latest from Alliance | News and comment on philanthropy and social investment around the world

Latest from Alliance | Latest from Alliance | News and comment on philanthropy and social investment around the world: The bar room scene occurred at the end of the first day of the annual retreat of the Environmental Funders Network (EFN), an informal network of trusts, foundations and individuals making grants on environmental and conservation issues. EFN was established in the UK to increase the overall level of financial support for environmental causes and to help environmental philanthropy to be as effective as it can be. To that end, EFN has hosted a retreat for the past four years, bringing together philanthropists with experts in the environment sector. By the end of the first day of this year’s event, participants had heard from Michelle DePass, Assistant Administrator for International and Tribal Affairs at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and from Jonathon Porritt, the eminent writer, broadcaster and commentator on sustainable development. These speakers and others who followed offered participants challenging and inspiring presentations, giving us much to ponder as we met over food and liquid sustenance.

BBC News - Two decorated eggs on show in London 'missing'

BBC News - Two decorated eggs on show in London 'missing': Action for Children and Elephant Family said the eggs, two of 200 in London, were reported missing on Saturday.

One was the Egg Letter Box by designer Benjamin Shine, which was on Carnaby Street, and the other, Hatch, was designed by artist Natasha Law.

Winchester mum in charity skydive to make extra day of the year count (From Romsey Advertiser)

Winchester mum in charity skydive to make extra day of the year count (From Romsey Advertiser): She will be joined in the skydive by her daughter Hannah, 19, and together they aim to raise �400 each to help fight the disease.

It is part of charity Muscular Dystrophy Campaign ‘Make Today Count’ scheme which aims to raise �30,000 on February 29 through members of the public skydiving and the charity is encouraging others to joining Christine and Hannah.

Trial of 43 NGO workers adjourned until late April - EGYPT - FRANCE 24

Trial of 43 NGO workers adjourned until late April - EGYPT - FRANCE 24: The trial of 43 NGO workers, including 16 Americans, was on Sunday adjourned until the end of April. The US is in "intense discussions" to resolve the issue, which has threatened $1.5 billion in US aid to Egypt.
By News Wires (text)

Arts-specific investment fund prepares for pilot - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Arts-specific investment fund prepares for pilot - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The arts sector could be getting a new source of income as a pilot initiative seeks to bring social investment, common elsewhere in the charity sector, to the arts.

Arts Ventures, an initiative which will attempt to marry up social investors with arts organisations wanting non-grant income, is currently looking for arts organisations interested in taking part in the pilot programme. The initiative is being set up to fund capital developments or boost earned income at arts organisations.

TODAYonline | Singapore | How community hospitals will use charity dollars: SINGAPORE - From improving services, facilities and equipment to offering better salaries to attract more staff, these are some of the ways that community hospitals are planning to use the charity dollars that will be freed up, as a result of the Government's move to increase subsidies for the intermediate and long-term care sector.

Philanthropy In Schooling Urged by Gonski Report | Pro Bono Australia

Philanthropy In Schooling Urged by Gonski Report | Pro Bono Australia: The Australian Government has commissioned a consultancy to address these concerns. Due to report in May 2012, the consultancy will develop guiding principles for school–business relationships that are voluntary and supportive, encourage good practice and emphasise mutual benefit.

A number of submissions to the Gonski review indicated that tax incentives are an important consideration for private individuals, charitable funds or foundations and businesses when making donations, particularly for major giving.

It says that despite recent initiatives to increase philanthropy in schooling, it is clear that more can be done to encourage activity in this area. Approaches to encourage philanthropy in schools should increase their capacity to form philanthropic relationships, reduce barriers to private investment, and provide national leadership and direction in focusing philanthropic activity to all disadvantaged school communities.

Charities call for payroll giving reform - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Charities call for payroll giving reform - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Institute of Fundraising members have overwhelmingly called for payroll giving systems to be universally reformed to meet expected levels of income.

More than 90 per cent of charities polled by the Institute of Fundraising (IoF) said that systems needed to be fundamentally changed to boost donations to meet their requirements and government expectations.

A New Movement in Philanthropy � Acumen Fund Blog

A New Movement in Philanthropy � Acumen Fund Blog: But, my recent excitement is not only about business model innovation it is about philanthropic innovation. Due to the rise in income in many individuals in these regions a group of philanthropists are emerging, mostly business leaders, who are developing new models of philanthropy and innovating in exciting ways. Please note: I don’t want to discount that philanthropy has always been a part of these economies, as the majority of people do give back on a daily basis, in particular to their home communities (I highlight this in a recent blog about my trip to Nigeria). But, I do believe something different is happening.

Payroll Giving In New Zealand - Charity Matters

Payroll Giving In New Zealand - Charity Matters: ince 7 Jan 2010 when Payroll Giving became an option, around $2 million has been given this way, is this a lower level of take up than was to be expected; from feedback received it would appear it is, at least from charity point if view.

Charity's chief retires | This is Plymouth

Charity's chief retires | This is Plymouth: HE chair of a breast care charity has stood down after 14 years in the role.

Dame Margaret Fry has retired from the Primrose Foundation Trustees. The only person to have held the position since the foundation's inception in 1997, she has overseen the creation and growth of the Primrose Breast Care Centre at Derriford Hospital.

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | A Global Nonprofit Ponzi Scheme? Lessons Learned from a Fiscal Sponsor’s Collapse

The Nonprofit Quarterly | @npquarterly | A Global Nonprofit Ponzi Scheme? Lessons Learned from a Fiscal Sponsor’s Collapse: When a nonprofit implodes, the tendency is to avert one’s gaze and hope that it was simply that one nonprofit or its specific cast of characters that made it a “one-off.” When the nonprofit International Humanities Center (IHC), a fiscal sponsor for over 200 projects around the world, imploded, it’s estimated that it took with it more than $1 million in donations that never made it to the intended recipients in what begins to look like a nonprofit version of a Ponzi scheme.

OSCR publishes reference guide on protecting charitable status - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

OSCR publishes reference guide on protecting charitable status - Civil Society - Governance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Scotland’s charity regulator has today published a reference report to help charities understand and address potential issues in meeting the requirements of charitable status.

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)'s Protecting Charitable Status is a summary of its reviews over the past six years, used as a guide for charities and information for the public.

Charities reassess brand to attract support | In-Depth Analysis | Marketing Week

Charities reassess brand to attract support | In-Depth Analysis | Marketing Week: Charities are reassessing their branding and marketing communications to try to ensure they appeal to new audiences, as they face additional funding challenges and stalled donations.

Philanthropy 50: America's 10 most generous benefactors | Society | guardian.co.uk

Philanthropy 50: America's 10 most generous benefactors | Society | guardian.co.uk: Philanthropy 50: America's 10 most generous benefactors

Wealthy Americans are giving more to charity as the economy improves, research shows. Here's a list of the top 10 donors

NPC launching survey on new commissioning landscape - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

NPC launching survey on new commissioning landscape - Civil Society - Finance - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: New Philanthropy Capital is launching a survey which will attempt to build a picture of how charities are coping with new, more complex and competitive commissioning arrangements, such as payment-by-results.

United Way-style matchmaking service to launch in London - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

United Way-style matchmaking service to launch in London - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: London Voluntary Service Council plans to use the money it won from the Transforming Local Infrastructure Fund to set up a United Way-style model of matchmaking businesses with civil society organisations to boost their capacity.

United Way is a US charity that channels requests for help from voluntary sector organisations to businesses, and generates investment from donors and large businesses in civil society organisations. Two representatives from the charity recently spent time at LVSC helping it to prepare its bid to the Fund.

Christian Aid dumps head of fundraising role - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Christian Aid dumps head of fundraising role - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: The decision to make the head of fundraising post redundant follows a review of fundraising at the charity and is part of a new strategy which the charity says will build a “wider ownership for fundraising”.

As part of this new approach, Christian Aid says it will step up its fundraising training and expectations of all staff in the UK and Ireland and its core fundraising teams will work with staff responsible for building relationships with churches and motivating campaigners.

Wolverhampton limits days street fundraisers can operate in the city

Wolverhampton limits days street fundraisers can operate in the city: The city council has brought in the restrictions after 'overwhelming public feedback'


Wolverhampton City Council has cut from five to three the number of days a week when street fundraisers can operate.

The council recently resumed talks with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association over street fundraisers, after the council threatened to fine "nuisance" fundraisers up to �500.

Fundraising self-regulation could expand, says new PFRA chair - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits

Fundraising self-regulation could expand, says new PFRA chair - Civil Society - Fundraising - News - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits: Charity sector self-regulation is ripe for expansion, according to the new chairman of the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association.

In an interview with civilsociety.co.uk, after three weeks in his role as the first paid PFRA chair, Paul Stallard said that with the Charities Act 2006 review underway this year, the fundraising sector has a chance to prove the effectiveness, and expand the role, of self-regulation.

Rockefeller daughter Peggy Dulany asks India Inc's scions to join Global Philanthropists Circle - The Economic Times

Rockefeller daughter Peggy Dulany asks India Inc's scions to join Global Philanthropists Circle - The Economic Times

For charities, plans to abolish street fundraising would be a catastrophe - Telegraph

For charities, plans to abolish street fundraising would be a catastrophe - Telegraph: f EveryChild didn’t send fund raisers, or as many people disparagingly call them ‘chuggers’, on to the streets of London, we wouldn’t be able to protect so many of the 24 million children growing up vulnerable and alone in the developing world.

It’s as simple as that. It might sound melodramatic but it’s true.