I’ve just signed up for two conferences about financing the third sector – particularly of interest to me because of my work with Headway Cambridgeshire.
The first on 17 September is being hosted by Futurebuilders England and speakers 
include Francis Maude, Member of the Shadow Cabinet with responsibility for the third sector; Hughes Sibille, Director General of Crédit Coopératif and a prime mover in the establishment of a European Social Investment Bank; Sir David Varney, who served as Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Service Transformation; Lord 
Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive of Turning Point; and Stephen Bubb, Chief Executive of ACEVO and Chair of Futurebuilders England.
These experts should have some desperately needed answers about how to finance the continued growth of the third sector which is needed now more than ever as the recession continues to threaten the survival of many struggling charities.
The second conference on 14 October has an incredibly impressive line-up, including inspirational entrepreneurs Sir Richard Branson and Martha Lane Fox, who co-founded lastminute.com. This event is enticingly called “Raising Funds from the Rich†and has provided 20 leading philanthropists and major donor fundraising experts to pass on their valuable tips. It is organised by Action Planning, a leading UK consultancy which specialises in helping third sector organisations.
Its other key speakers include:
Stanley Fink, who gives from his hedge fund fortune to 
health, education and children’s charities.
•Johan Eliasch, one the UK’s top ten givers, and the Prime Minister’s envoy on climate change.
•Alec Reed, a major donor and founder of Reed Recruitment and theBigGive.org.uk, a specialist resource for major donors.
•Ram Gidoomal, an active philanthropist who will speak aboutn how to fundraise from Britain’s Asian rich.
•Sunday Times Rich List Editor, Ian Coxon, on the key trend is wealth generation and giving.
•Mide Akerewusi, on USA big gift techniques which could work in the UK.
•New Philanthropy Capital Chief Executive, Martin Brookes, on how major donors choose charities to support.
•CAF’s Russell Prior on how to work with foundations established by the rich.
•Robin Thomas of Action Planning, one of the UK’s leading fundraisers, on how to ask for a million pound gift.
•Kerry Rock, Action Planning’s Research Director, who runs Wealth Intelligence to locate potential big givers.
I went to Action Planning’s annual conference last year and found it very helpful and met some really interesting people, including broadcaster Jon Snow. But I think this year’s programme surpasses that, particularly as it focuses on a topic which is causing all charities major concern as many donors are unable to continue supporting charities because of the economic downturn.
Charities need to think – and act – smarter. I’m hopeful that these experts will help us do that.
For further info and to place a reservation at the free Futurebuilders conference, staged in association with Action Planning, please see www.actionplanning.co.uk/socialinvestmentbusiness.pdf and www.actionplanning.co.uk/socialinvestmentbusiness
The Branson event costs £145 and full details and booking info can be found at www.actionplanning.co.uk/rich.pdf and www.actionplanning.co.uk/rich
It has to be recovery led.
Moneterist charity is based on surplus and if people ain’t got it they just ain’t got it. People have to be earning to be giving.
On the other hand action based charity such as helping elderly neighbours would be far better for social cohesion in Britain. So many people think that simply writing a cheque or signing for a direct debit means that they’ve done their charitable duty – they haven’t.
It’s disgraceful that I can chair an AGM at our scout group in front of 150 parents and not one will volunteer to join our committee – or how few will help with the kids.
I also found this at church. The hands-on people form a tiny minority and get lumbered with the lion’s share of the work. Others bring along a cake once in a while and think that’s their bit done.
These professional charities have professionals at the head of them on professional salaries. I expect its the same mug volunteers at the rag end doing all the work unsung.
In Britain we need to give more time. Not just money.
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Why is it called the third sector, Ellee?
WW, because it is neither public nor private sector. I do not know who first used this term, or why.
EK, I agree with you about the importance of volunteering, which is why I do my work with Headway Cambridgeshire. I believe everyone should give something back to society and I have learnt a lot from it too.
Trustees are responsible for the successful governance of a charity, which includes the pay of its CEO. If he deserves it and they can afford it, then fair enough. Every penny should be scrupulously accounted for and justified.
The most incredible thing about Miss Lane-Fox is that last minute makes any money at all given that it is SO expensive. Every time I’ve booked a holiday or a break Lastminute.com has never been the cheapest or even close.
Anyway, I digress, it is nice for those who have the time to volunteer, but many people don#t have that time. My time is used up with my family, and I only have that family time because I have given up active politics.
Maybe they make all their cash chargingb for conferences… any free tickets going at all?
The conferences look good, especially the second. We don’t hear enough about Martha Lane Fox.
I think electro-kevin makes some very valid points and his observations of charitable activity at the church and scout group level may be reflective of the overall problem. Many charities demand more of people giving time (children, elderly, etc) than money. You don’t always leave someone better off than when you found them just from writing a cheque. Giving of time versus money should not be as impacted by recessionary times.
I was going to ask what the “3rd sector” is, too, as I hadn’t heard the term before. Now I’ve seen your explanation. My Ital students will be very interested to hear this term, especially one who is studying economica at Catania. Both conferences sound very interesting, Ellee.
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