Charity reserves and fundraising
Julian Lomas
This brief article explore the impact of a charity’s reserves on fundraising and what you can do about it.
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Stay up to date with developments in the sector and our latest thinking on issues affecting charities and social enterprises.
We wish you a peaceful and restful Christmas and New Year
Julian Lomas
Wishing you a peaceful and restful Christmas and New Year from everyone at Almond Tree strategic Consulting Limited
Read MoreMy small charity is safe from fraud, right?
Julian Lomas
A recent report shows fraud against charities is on the rise and it’s not just the big charities that are being targeted.
Read MoreCharities: incorporated or unincorporated?
Julian Lomas
Since CIOs were brought into being in late 2012, there’s been a trend towards incorporation of existing charities, but is this always the right option to choose?
Read MoreA perfect storm for small charities?
Julian Lomas
Rising demand and falling funding: two reports release within a few days of each other suggest the perfect storm may be brewing for small charities.
Read MoreHow to convert a CIC into a CIO
Julian Lomas
We are increasingly being asked to support Community Interest Companies (CICs) to convert into Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs), so we thought a short article on what is involved might be helpful.
Read MoreRunning a start up charity
Julian Lomas
There’s lots of advice out there on setting up a new charity, choosing the right legal structure and objects, finding Trustees, opening bank accounts etc, but very little on the challenges you’ll face once the charity is registered. This short articles provides some top tips for making a successful start for a new charity.
Read MoreTen top tips for small charities working with a consultant
Julian Lomas
Many of our small charity clients have never worked with consultants before and we aim to make it as easy as possible for them to do business with us. In collaboration with our associate Ruth Dwight, we have put together 10 top tips for getting the most out of a small consultancy support package.
Read MoreWhy you and we love small, local charities
Julian Lomas
We’ve long believed that smaller, local charities are the glue that binds communities together and where the sector is at its best in making a positive difference to people’s lives. Two recent reports suggest we’re not alone in that view.
Read MoreWhat is a CASC and what's the point?
Julian Lomas
Much of the debate around not-for-profit organisations centres on issues like whether to register as a charity, CIC or some other type of organisation (such as a community benefit society). The option of registering as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) is often overlooked. This short articles provides more information on that option.
Read MoreBanks and Charities just don't seem to mix
Julian Lomas
Why do charities have such trouble with banks and what can you do about it?
Read MoreWhat 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?
Read MoreWhy 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.
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