JGP News

Despite the impact of the credit crunch, donations by members of the public to those working for charities are not expected to fall.

In a ThirdSector.co.uk article, a number of charities claimed that although individual contributions are set to remain consistent, there may be a shortfall in legacy income.

Giles Pegram, director of fundraising at the NSPCC, said: "We haven”t seen any effect on our voluntary income.

"Evidence and experience suggest that downturns in the economy don”t have much effect on individual giving."

Meanwhile, Paul Breckell, finance director for the RNID, reported that as house prices continue to fall the organisation has lowered the amount of money it will receive in donations through legacies for 2008.

However, a drop in such fundraising income, he reported, has yet to take place.

Richard Turner, director of fundraising at ActionAid, claimed that during times when incomes fall regular donations are often "one of the last things to go".

Such news might interest those looking to maintain sustainable efficiencies.

In other financial news, James Bevan, investment officer at CCLA, recently advised those in the third sector to avoid investing money into high street bank accounts as doing so may mean they lose out on millions of pounds in revenue each year.

More about sustainable efficiencies.

A new campaign urging those working in the third sector to increase their legacy fundraising has been launched, it has emerged.

Remember a Charity, which comprises more than 140 organisations, is soon to announce the more details of the operation which is set to be launched in the autumn, ThirdSector.co.uk reports.

Prompted by a study in May about the public’’s motivation for leaving money to charity, the campaign is expected to target the so-called "baby boomer" generation.

Stephen George, chair of Remember a Charity, said it was crucial for the charity sector to support the campaign and said such a focus "must become part and parcel of our everyday fundraising work".

Indeed receiving such guidance on fundraising could help third sector groups to improve their skills framework.

Meanwhile, the Ethical Investment Research Service Foundation has stated that charities need to take ethical investment seriously.

It made the assertion after a study found that 83 per cent of people said they would be less likely, or unwilling, to leave money to a charity that does not have a responsible investment policy.

More skills framework information.

Those working for charities are being urged to respond to a HM Revenue & Customs consultation to help them get a better deal on VAT.

Plans by the institution propose fewer calculations and simpler rules for charities concerning partial VAT exemption laws, ThirdSector.co.uk reports.

Graham Elliott, charities specialist and consultancy firm Haysmacintyre, said: "It’’s important charities respond to this consultation."

Thomas Mobee, senior VAT manager at accountancy firm Saffery Champness, agreed, calling the proposals "excellent".

He said the advantages include enabling charities to use one set of calculations over the year and adjust it at the end rather than making quarterly calculations.

Such news could be of interest to those third sector groups looking to maintain sustainable efficiencies.

Earlier this month charities were invited to attend a series of workshops to help them manage through the credit crunch.

Arranged by the Charities Aid Foundation, the sessions start in October and will advise voluntary and community organisations on matters such as maximising tax-efficient donations.

More about sustainable efficiencies.

An increasing number of people appear to be working for charities despite the overall employment difficulties faced in Britain, it has been suggested.

Figures released by Russam GMS revealed there has been a recent rise in interim management activity throughout the third sector.

This comes in spite of research by the UK Statistics Authority which reveals that there has been a consistent increase in the number of unemployed people since the start of the year, ThirdSector reports.

Charles Russam, chairman for the organisation, said: "The average daily rates for interims in the charity sector are markedly lower, but they are starting to catch up as charities recognise the commercial value in getting as close as possible to paying market rates."

Such news might be of interest to charities and voluntary groups looking to attract potential applicants via a regional recruitment portal.

Meanwhile, Women Like Us has revealed increase in charity employers wanting to take on part-time staff over the course of May.

In other news, the 2007 Scottish Household Survey showed people in Scotland are the most likely consumers in Britain to work in the voluntary sector.

More regional recruitment portal information.

People working for social enterprises are set to be assessed in a new way, it has been revealed.

By forming links as network partners, Social Firms UK and Rise will use the latter’’s social enterprise kitemark to create a quality mark for such third sector bodies located throughout Britain, ThirdSector.co.uk reports.

Meanwhile, Social Firms UK had created its own star assessment system - independently accredited by the Small Firms Enterprise Development Institute - for those socially responsible firms wishing to demonstrate their ethical credentials.

Now the two institutions will work together to expand Rise’’s star quality standard to social enterprises across the country.

Paula Howley, director of enterprise and projects at Rise, said: "These two initiatives complement one another and we have agreed that working more strategically together will be an excellent way of both promoting the brand and acknowledging the quality of social enterprise."

Last summer, Phil Hope, minister of the Third Sector, unveiled a raft of measures aimed an increasing access to funds for those working for social enterprises.

More about network partners.