A mixed picture for charity regulation
Julian Lomas
Are more charities behaving badly? Are more being found out? Or is something else going on?
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Stay up to date with developments in the sector and our latest thinking on issues affecting charities and social enterprises.
What to do about a badly behaved charity trustee?
Julian Lomas
We’ve all come across them, right? The difficult, controlling, dominant or just downright rude trustee who everyone knows is a problem but no-one does anything about? This short article explores what can be done about it.
Read MoreIs there light at the end of the tunnel for charity banking?
Julian Lomas
After making a lot of noise about charity banking difficulties, the Charity Commission has issued new guidance to help charities navigate banking issues and avoid difficulties and UK Finance has issued a new Voluntary Organisation Banking Guide.
Read MoreThe changing landscape for charity fundraising
Julian Lomas
With so many conflicting signals about trends in charity fundraising, it can be tough for small charities to decide on their fundraising plans. This articles aims to give a few helpful pointers.
Read MoreSmall Charity Week 2024 - time to get serious about really helping small charities
Julian Lomas
A brief reflection on Small Charity Week 2024 and the vital important of small charities in the UK.
Read MoreWhat skills do you need on your trustee board?
Julian Lomas
One of the most common requests we receive from clients is to help them conduct a Trustee skills audit to inform board development. This short article explores what skills are needed for a good Trustee board.
Read MoreEmployee volunteering is on the rise
Julian Lomas
Employer supported volunteering is a rapidly growing phenomenon. In our view there should be much more of it.
Read MoreNon-profit leaders should look after their own wellbeing too
Julian Lomas
Two recent events we attended have made us reflect on the importance of personal as well as organisational resilience in the non-profit sector.
Read MoreESG is irrelevant to small not-for-profits - right?
Julian Lomas
Large companies are required to publish an annual ESG report (Environmental, Social, Governance) and many medium sized businesses are also getting on board with ESG. What might this mean for small and medium sized charities?
Read MoreNew online safety laws could impact small charities
Julian Lomas
Implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023 will begin in 2024. How could it affect small charities and social enterprises?
Read MoreA recruitment crisis for charities?
Julian Lomas
Despite well documented challenges with fundraising, we’re seeing a growing number of clients for whom funding isn’t the main constraint on their growth. What‘s really holding them back is a shortage of skilled staff. This short article explores this issue in a little more depth.
Read MoreCan small charities benefit from AI?
Julian Lomas
There’s a lot of hype around about AI and how it can transform just about anything. But what could this mean for small local charities?
Read MoreIs your charity considering a merger or should it be?
Julian Lomas
The most recent Good Merger Index report shows that charity mergers are at an all time low, confounding post-pandemic expectations. Given the perfect storm facing many charities, is now the time charities should be thinking about mergers.
Read MoreAre charities doing enough on race equality?
Julian Lomas
As we approach the end of Race Equality Week 2024, this short article reflects on whether charities are doing enough to address race equality in their governance and workforce.
Read MoreWhy do people trust charities (and why do some not)?
Julian Lomas
This short article reflects on the implications of the Charity Commission’s recent report on public trust in charities and the role and experience of trustees.
Read MoreCharity 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.
Read MoreWe 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.
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