Charity Update - 15 December 2020

Welcome to the latest issue of Fieldfisher's Charity Update.

Plenty of new initiatives and annual reports dominate the news this week, with one highlight being the new Charity Governance Code to help charities develop better governance. This is our last update before Christmas, so we would like to take the opportunity of wishing you a very Merry Christmas with best wishes for a positive 2021 ahead.

Neil Palmer
 

9 December 2020

Community groups tackling loneliness during the pandemic to benefit from a £4m fund

The Local Connections Fund, made up of £2 million from the Government and £2 million from The National Lottery Community Fund, will be used for hundreds of small grants worth between £300 and £2,500. These grants will be open to charities and interest groups that reduce loneliness and social isolation, for example book clubs, walking groups, and other community projects.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Office for Civil Society, and Baroness Barran MBE

9 December 2020

The Fundraising Regulator's advice on how to say "I'm Sorry…"

The Fundraising Regulator's Annual Complaints Report found that organisations could improve on the way they handle their complaints, and apologies. Two Case Officers at the Fundraising Regulator have written four tips to help you improve your apologies.

The Fundraising Regulator

8 December 2020

A New Charity Governance Code has been published

The code aims to help charities and their trustees develop a higher standard of governance. This Code has been created by a steering group, with the help of over 200 charities, individuals and related organisations. The enhancements to this update focus on Principle 3: Integrity and Principle 6: Diversity, now called Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. You can view the code, or download a pdf of it here.

The Charity Governance Code

7 December 2020

Donate your money to charities, not criminals, this Christmas

Action Fraud, the Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator are warning the public to remain vigilant when making charitable donations this Christmas. Figures from Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, show that almost £350,000 of charitable donations ended up in the pockets of criminals over the festive period last year. See here for details on how to stay safe.

The Charity Commission

7 December 2020

CAF publish their Charity Landscape 2020 Report

Each year, the Charities Aid Foundation survey charity leaders to find out what challenges they face and how these challenges have impacted their ability to meet the needs of their beneficiaries. 2020 has undoubtedly been a difficult year for charities. This report highlights the struggles charities and civil society organisations have experienced, whilst also suggesting some future improvements.

CAF

3 December 2020

"Mission, Knowledge, Power, Accountability and Connection", the ACF release a New "Stronger Foundations" Report

The Association of Charitable Foundations has published a new report on five cross-cutting themes from its 'Stronger Foundations' initiative. The ACF has already published six thematic reports that cover Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Impact and Learning; Strategy and Governance; Transparency and Engagement; Investment; and Funding Practices. See here for the full report.

Association of Charitable Foundations

2 December 2020

ACEVO and Mental Health First Aid England publish the Workforce Wellbeing in Charities Report

In November 2019, ACEVO and Mental Health First Aid England launched a project exploring how voluntary sector CEOs can support greater workforce wellbeing. The conversation within this report has expanded to include the bigger picture of charity sector mental health in the wake of 2020. The report considers the role of governance in ensuring that leaders can support themselves whilst in turn, supporting others. For more information, read the report here.

ACEVO and Mental Health First Aid England