Knowledge Hub

  • The importance of internal controls – a real-life example!

    Topics: Governance, legal and compliance / Fraud / Risk
    Posted by: Glyn Sheldon
    On: 16.09.2024

    Sharon Martin, Chief Financial Officer at Born Free, shares her story of an attempt to defraud the charity of funds, highlighting the importance of rigorous internal controls. 

    Time to read: 5 minutes
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  • Consultation opens on draft Fundraising Code

    Topics: Governance, legal and compliance / Funding
    Posted by: CFG
    On: 13.09.2024

    The Fundraising Regulator's long-anticipated fully redrafted Fundraising Code is now out for consultation. Charities and others are invited to view the new code, comment and join in the conversation.

    Time to read: 1 minutes
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  • Update: Charity Investment Governance Principles are on their way

    Topics: Investment / Governance, legal and compliance
    Posted by: Richard Sagar
    On: 10.09.2024

    Charities and other interested parties are working together to develop the Charity Investment Governance Principles (CIGP), following a consultation that will inform best practice in decision-making around charity investments.

    Time to read: 1 minutes
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  • Utilising going concern information as a management tool to benefit your charity

    Topics: Funding / Accounting and reporting
    Posted by: Tracey Moore
    On: 22.08.2024

    Tracey Moore from UHY emphasises the importance of going concern information for charities. She explains how budgets and cashflow forecasts can be used as management tools beyond audit purposes. By regularly updating and analysing this information, charities can make informed decisions, improve financial planning, and strengthen their relationships with grant providers.

    Time to read: 8 minutes
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  • VAT and the fundraising exemption

    Topics: Tax and VAT / Funding
    Posted by: Carla Horsfall
    On: 22.08.2024

    BHP's Carla Horsfall explains how charities can save money on VAT for fundraising events by understanding the exemption rules. She outlines the key conditions for exemption and provides examples of events that qualify. The key takeaway for charities is to stay informed, plan ahead, and consider if the exemption benefits them before applying.

    Time to read: 3 minutes
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  • HMRC figure shows slight rise in tax relief for charities

    Topics: Tax and VAT / Gift Aid / Accounting and reporting
    Written by: Glyn Sheldon
    On: 13.08.2024

    HMRC figures show that tax relief for charities and their donors increased by 3% to just over £6bn in the last tax year. Read more about the impact of tax relief, and remember Gift Aid Awareness Day is coming up soon on Thursday, 3 October.

    Time to read: 1 minutes
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  • The five ways to wellness with the CFG team

    Topics: People and culture
    Posted by: Glyn Sheldon
    On: 09.08.2024

    As you will have noticed, the CFG (remote) office closed at the end of July as we paused for our summer wellbeing week. It was a time for staff to take a well earned break and spend some time recharging their batteries.

    Time to read: 5 minutes
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  • UK's private schools will see removal of VAT exemption from January 2025

    Topics: Tax and VAT / Governance, legal and compliance / Accounting and reporting
    Written by: Richard Sagar
    On: 01.08.2024

    The government has published its proposals to remove VAT exemption, and charitable rate relief, to private schools. CFG's Head of Policy, Richard Sagar, provides an overview.

    Time to read: 2 minutes
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  • Eight in 10 charities view digital as an organisational priority

    Topics: IT, technology and digital / Funding
    Written by: Glyn Sheldon
    On: 23.07.2024

    The 2024 Charity Digital Skills Report reveals some promising data showing the digital ambitions of charities, whilst also finding that economic challenges are stalling progress.

    Time to read: 2 minutes
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  • Your insight matters: participate in the VCSE Barometer Survey

    Topics: People and culture / Environmental, social, governance (ESG) / Economy and policy
    Written by: Glyn Sheldon
    On: 22.07.2024

    Deadline extended! The VCSE survey is open for responses. Read more about the survey and share your thoughts on the changing landscape of the sector.

    Time to read: 1 minutes
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  • Developing inclusive workplaces in the charity sector

    Topics: People and culture / Leadership and career development / Governance, legal and compliance
    Written by: Sam Burne James
    On: 19.07.2024

    Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) was a hot topic at this year's CFG's Annual Conference. Sam Burne James reports on the latest thinking and insights.

    Time to read: 7 minutes
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  • Dismantling racism: my lived experience

    Topics: People and culture
    Written by: Sarah Lomax
    On: 19.07.2024

    CFG's Deputy CEO Sarah Lomax shares her lived experience of racism, and highlights the importance of data collection and self-reflection for dismantling racism and building a more equitable workplace.

    Time to read: 3 minutes
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