As the year ends, we wanted to share some of our community’s 2024 highlights. It’s fair to say we’ve had an impactful and busy year.
A huge thank you to all our members and partners who supported us. If you attended one of our events, exhibited, spoke or helped to deliver training, shared expert insights and knowledge in one of our webinars or meetings, supported Gift Aid Awareness Day or responded to one of our many surveys, or volunteered to run or facilitate one of our special interest groups – an extra big thank you!
Keep an eye out in January for more of what we’ve got planned for the year ahead! In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this look-back on 2024!
JANUARY
Risk and resilience
To kick-start the year, we spoke to charity sector leaders for their predictions, insights and advice on how to reduce risk and remain resilient in the year ahead. Our in depth article outlined potential risks on the horizon, including ongoing conflict and a potential general election.
Looking to the spring budget
Ahead of the spring budget, CFG submitted four main asks, as part of the Civil Society Group. This outlined how Chancellor Jeremy Hunt could ensure the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people are better protected, and what government could do to support charities to provide their critical services.
FEBRUARY
The Finance Journey at 10!
CFG’s professional development tool, The Finance Journey, celebrated its tenth birthday in February. The Finance Journey’s author, Simon Hopkins, explained why the Finance Journey is more important than ever and how CFG has big plans for its future.
Talking about...AI and the charity sector
In the first CFG Podcast of 2024, Clare Mills, CFG's Deputy CEO, spoke to two social sector experts - Zoe Amar from Zoe Amar Digital, and Rhodri Davies from Why Philanthropy Matters. They discussed AI's development in the months ahead and whether there's anything charities and non-profits should do to keep pace?
Annual report and accounts
CFG published its Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year 2022/23. The report, entitled ‘Purposeful and Empowering’, tells the story of CFG’s year and how it supported members, partners and the wider charity sector.
Guidance for employers regarding menopausal employees
New Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance set out the legal obligations for employers in February. CFG’s Head of HR Laura Millar was interviewed for this Civil Society article, where she stated that charities “should be proactive in providing support and helping to break the taboo that exists” around perimenopause and menopause.
Charity Commission launches new five-year strategy
The charity regulator for England and Wales published a new strategy. CFG's Head of Policy, Richard Sagar, went to the launch to find out what it meant for registered charities, and provided an overview for CFG’s members.
MARCH
New guidance on accepting, refusing and returning donations
CFG published an overview of new guidance from the Charity Commission to help charities decide when to accept, refuse or return a donation. CFG’s Head of Policy and Communications, Clare Mills commented: "CFG would recommend that all charities familiarise themselves with the new guidance”.
Spring budget fails to address critical issues
The government set out new measures in their spring budget on Wednesday 6 March. Following the announcements, CFG produced its analysis of the measures which failed to adequately tackle the concerns that charities had raised ahead of the budget.
APRIL
New leadership appointments
CFG announced new appointments to its Board: Kevin O’Brien, former Chair of CFG’s Finance and Audit Committee, was appointed interim Chair, taking the reins from Gary Forster. Sarah Lomax and Clare Mills were promoted to deputy CEOs to support CEO Caron Bradshaw who began a new, part-time role at the Lending Standards Board.
A legacy that will live on
After eight years on CFG’s board of trustees, Gary Forster has bid farewell to CFG. Talking to Emma Abbott, Gary reflected on his time as chair, the many highlights, the changes he’s seen and a membership and sector that never fails to impress him.
Getting to know Dionne Sturdy-Clow
Thanks to generous funding through The Rank Foundation's Time2Shine programme, CFG developed a new post for an aspiring leader. In this article, CFG’s new Gift Aid Project Officer Dionne-Sturdy Clow, talked about her role and how she would be supporting CFG’s #TickTheBox campaign.
Can charities prevent bank account closures
CFG took an in-depth look at how charity finance professionals can protect against ‘de-banking’. The piece also included reference to the Civil Society Group’s banking survey, which gathered insights to help CFG advocate for better banking services for the sector.
Technical Update Conference - Scotland
CFG's in-person Technical Update Conference was held in Glasgow, letting attendees know what's been changing in the world of governance and regulatory, accounting, reporting and audit updates, and HR and legal.
JUNE
CFG’s Annual Conference: Shaping Tomorrow
CFG’s flagship event – the Annual Conference – was held in June. The event, entitled ‘Shaping Tomorrow’, welcomed hundreds of attendees from the world of charity finance and operations.
JULY
General Election and new government
On Thursday 4 July, Keir Starmer’s Labour Party won a landslide victory in an early general election. CFG released a statement following the election, and CEO Caron Bradshaw shared her thoughts on making change happen in the current political landscape.
The new government’s first King’s Speech
The new government delivered its first King’s Speech, outlining its policy agenda for the coming year. CFG’s Head of Policy, Richard Sagar, provided an overview of some of the key policies announced and what this meant for charities.
CFG’s Sarah Lomax shares thoughts on
‘CFG unveils ‘bolder’ branding’
CFG unveiled a refreshed brand, including a new logo, to reflect CFG's commitment to supporting a diverse, vibrant and growing community in a changing world.
AUGUST
CSG statement on racist violence
As part of the Civil Society Group, CFG published a statement in response to the racist riots which swept the country and saw charity premises targeted. The statement outlined that: “Civil society exists to make the world a better place – championing the voices of those who experience disadvantage and exclusion, providing lifeline services, and working to achieve social justice and cohesion” and condemned the actions of those who acted “in direct contrast to the values of a fair, just and inclusive society”.
SEPTEMBER
Kath Qualtrough and Sue Hall join CFG!
CFG announced the hiring of two experienced finance experts to its leadership team. Sue Hall joined at Interim Digital Transformation Director, whilst Kath Qualtrough took over as Interim Finance Director. Caron Bradshaw, CEO of CFG, expressed her enthusiasm about the new appointments: “Their passion for CFG as well as being experts will be invaluable and help us continue to put members at the heart of what we do.”
Talking about...Pensions and charities
Pensions experts David Fairs and Edward Symes from LCP spoke to CFG's Head of Policy, Richard Sagar, for the CFG Podcast to help demystify pensions for charities. The episode looks at what charities need to do in light of The Pensions Regulator's new defined benefit funding code, what the future of pensions might look like under a new Labour Government, and much more.
Charity Commission refreshes CC12 guidance
Supported by CFG, the Charity Commission refreshed its CC12 guidance about financial difficulties to support trustees in their decision making. CFG encouraged all trustees and charity finance professionals to read the new guidance in this article.
CFG set out sector’s asks ahead of new government’s first budget
Ahead of the autumn statement CFG, as part of the Civil Society Group, set out the sector’s asks to the Chancellor. The group called on Rachel Reeves to consider several low-cost but impactful measures including increasing charity tax limits in line with inflation, as well as longer-term proposals such as the appointment of a philanthropy champion to drive up charitable giving.
OCTOBER
OSSIG event
CFG's Overseas Special Interest Group conference provided valuable space for INGOs to discuss the issues they are facing and ensure they are ready to face a stronger future. An OSSIG LinkedIn group is also available for peer-to-peer conversations between CFG members from these charities.
Gift Aid Awareness Day!
October saw CFG celebrate Gift Aid Awareness Day! This campaign, created by CFG, aimed to raise public knowledge of this vital tax relief and the day saw thousands of charities take to social media to share this message. CFG also produced a report, following a survey of 100 charity leaders, which found some charities face challenges in registering for and claiming gift aid.
CFG’s Annual Fundraising Dinner
CFG’s Annual Fundraising Dinner was held in October. At the event, CEO of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, Helen Undy, gave a speech on the connections between mental health and money, and what charity leaders can do to support staff.
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day was held on Thursday 10 October, and this year’s theme was ‘Prioritising mental health in the workplace’. Our article outlined some steps charities can take to support the wellbeing of their staff.
CFG CEO Caron Bradshaw attends Covenant launch at Downing Street
CFG’s CEO Caron Bradshaw attended the historic launch of the Civil Society Covenant. Caron, alongside other sector leaders, met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy at Downing Street where the Covenant was announced. The Covenant aims to create a new era of partnership between civil society and government, and CFG encouraged all organisations to get involved with the consultation process.
CFG's Midlands Conference
The CFG Midlands Conference was held at the beautiful new Mills & Reeve offices in Birmingham. Speakers from CFG and Mencap provided expert updates at the session.
NOVEMBER
CFG’s new sexual harassment policy and advice
New protections from sexual harassment came into force this year. Following this, CFG shared what it's doing to strengthen its sexual harassment policies and shape a culture of safety and respect.
CFG shares initial reactions to autumn budget
Following the new government’s first budget, CFG produced a policy briefing which outlined the impacts on the sector. CFG also sent out a post-budget survey to members, to assess how the proposed rise in Employer National Insurance Contributions, and other changes, would affect charities.
CEO Caron Bradshaw’s tribute to Ian Theodoreson
CFG published this tribute to CFG founder Ian Theodoreson who sadly passed away in October. Ian, a close friend of CFG CEO Caron Bradshaw, was a passionate advocate for the charity sector, and he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others.
NOVEMBER
Trustees' Week!
To mark Trustees' Week, CFG published interviews with two of our own Trustees, Tim Nicholls and Tony Wells, which highlighted the value trustees provide to an organisation.
Charity Fraud Awareness Week
In advance of Charity Fraud Awareness Week in November, CFG published an article written by Sam Burne James about the risks of insider fraud, and what all charities can do to help protect themselves.
Chancellor responds to sector’s open letter
CFG released a joint statement alongside NCVO and ACEVO following the Chancellor’s response to the sector’s open letter. The letter, signed by 7361 charities, had asked the Chancellor to consider exempting charities from a rise in Employer National Insurance Contributions.
Charity banking report
CFG’s ‘Charity Banking Challenges 2024’ report revealed that nearly all respondents (92%) have experienced at least one difficulty related to banking in the past two years. Following the release of the report, CFG’s Deputy CEO Clare Mills, appeared on BBC Moneybox to discuss some of the issues charities face with regards to banking.
DECEMBER
CFG releases post-budget survey report
CFG published a report which revealed deep concern over the rise in Employer National Insurance Contributions. Our survey results showed that charities were facing difficult decisions about how they support their beneficiaries and continue to deliver their charitable objects. Since the budget, CFG has been working hard to support our members, and advocate on their behalf.
COMING SOON...
After our winter break and wellbeing week, we will be returning in the new year with the launching of the refreshed Charity Investment Governance Principles on Thursday 16 January, a packed events calendar, and much more on the horizon!