What next for charity regulation?
Julian Lomas
The Charity Commission has published an interim business plan for 2023-24. What might this mean for the future of charity regulation?
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Stay up to date with developments in the sector and our latest thinking on issues affecting charities and social enterprises.
Why should employers support their staff to volunteer with charities?
Julian Lomas
Recently we have been working with a few clients on employer-supported volunteering, but what is it and why should employers get involved?
Read MoreHow small charities can benefit from legacy and in-memory giving
Julian Lomas
Legacy giving has been growing relentlessly over the last 30 years and this trend is set to continue with the baby boomer generation now reaching their last phase of life. How can small charities benefit from this source of income?
Read MoreWhat are grant makers looking for in the governance of the charities they fund?
Julian Lomas
Grants makers are increasingly concerned to ensure good governance in the organisation they support. This article explores what they are on the look out for when assessing grant applications.
Read MoreThe rise of virtual volunteering
Julian Lomas
What is virtual volunteering and how could it help your charity or social enterprise?
Read MoreThe perils of founder's syndrome and how to avoid them
Julian Lomas
Much has been said and written about “founder syndrome” in charities and social enterprise but what is it and how can you avoid the problems it can bring?
Read MoreThe indispensability of planning for small charities and social enterprises
Julian Lomas
Was Eisenhower right when he reputedly said “Plans are useless, planning is essential”? This short article discusses that in the context of small charities and social enterprises.
Read MoreWhat is the future of infrastructure support for small charities?
Julian Lomas
With the closure of the Small Charities Coalition in spring 2022 and of the Foundation for Social Improvement in 2023, what is the future of infrastructure support for small charities?
Read MoreTrends in volunteering and charitable giving
Julian Lomas
The Government has recently published the findings of the 2021/22 Community Life Survey, which reports on trends in volunteering and public donations to charities. There are some worrying trends that all charities need to address if they are to sustain giving and volunteering.
Read MoreIs charity law too complicated for small charities?
Julian Lomas
We’ve helped register countless start up charities and their founders are frequently dumbfound by the questions they need to answer to gain registration. Is the law too complicated for small charities?
Read MoreWhat's the point of Community Interest Companies?
Julian Lomas
With around 30,000 Community Interest Companies now on the register, and continued growth in registrations , this short article asks, “what is the point of a CIC?”.
Read MoreCharity Commission Annual Return: What is the regulator really interested in?
Julian Lomas
The Charity Commission has published the new set of questions it will be asking charities in their annual return from 1 January 2023 but what does this tell us about what the regulator is concerned about?
Read MoreTop fundraising tips for tough times
Julian Lomas
What can charities do to maximise fundraising in difficult times. We offer a few ideas in this short article.
Read MoreWishing you a peaceful Christmas and New Year
Julian Lomas
We wish all our clients, and everyone working to sustain vital charity services, a restful and peaceful Christmas and New Year and look forward to working with you in 2023
Read MoreWhat tax reliefs do charities get?
Julian Lomas
The subject of charities and tax can be hard to navigate. While we cannot offer formal tax advice, we hope this article provides some useful pointers on charity tax matters.
Read MoreCharity Trustees's safeguarding responsibilities
Julian Lomas
The Charity Commission is getting more and more involved in making sure that safeguarding in charities is led by Trustees. This short article explores what this means in practice for small charities.
Read MoreBuilding effective partnerships between charities and businesses
Julian Lomas
Effective partnerships between charities and business can and should be about so much more than money or in kind donations. This article explore a range of options for enriching and sustaining these partnerships.
Read MoreHow safe is your charity from fraud?
Julian Lomas
Every charity and not-for-profit is susceptible to fraud and cybercrime by criminals exploiting the current global crisis. Is your charity doing enough to protect itself from these risks?
Read MoreTrustees week: 7-11 November 2022
Julian Lomas
Trustees Week is an annual celebration of trustees and everything they contribute to charities. This year the theme is making a difference in changing times. Ongoing learning and development for Trustees is essential and Trustees week provides a good way for Trustees to do just that.
How many directors should a CIC or other company have?
Julian Lomas
Many small companies, including small Community Interest Companies (CICs) have a small number of Directors, but what is the “legal minimum”?
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