The new partnership brings all 85 of Sporta members across England and Wales into the Charity Finance Group network, supporting each and every member organisation to help demonstrate their impact and strengthen their strategic financial management. Charity Finance Group has 1,400 charities and non-profit organisations in membership, with a network of over 3,000 individuals.
Cate Atwater, chief executive of Sporta said: “Together our members across the UK manage around £1.5bn in annual turnover and employ 67,000 staff. However, the trust model, which is grounded in social impact and building communities, is under significant threat from a race to the bottom with cash-strapped local authorities seeking the lowest cost contracts. By focusing on financial best practice and helping Sporta to scan the horizon for challenges and opportunities, this partnership with CFG will help us protect the vital status of the trust model and the future resilience of our members.”
Announcing the partnership, Caron Bradshaw, CEO of Charity Finance Group said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sporta members to CFG and are looking forward to understanding the issues they face and helping guide them through the challenges ahead.
“More and more people are recognising that effective financial management and governance have a major contribution to play when it comes to business planning and sustainability. The UK’s leisure and culture trusts have such a vital role in social inclusion, community cohesion and public health, and together we need to safeguard the value that Sporta’s member trusts bring to our communities.”
The support for Sporta members through this partnership with CFG will be most welcome, according to Kerry Shea, Trustee of CFG and Executive Director at Everybody Sport and Recreation: “Robust financial management is vital to ensure that Leisure Trusts can continue to make well informed business decisions in this evermore challenging environment, so that we can deliver even greater impact in our communities. The partnership between CFG and Sporta can only help to enhance this financial management.”
From today, all Sporta members will have:
- access to discounted member rates for CFG events and training
- CFG’s support for Sporta’s dedicated Finance Special Interest Group
- policy news and insight about finance for non-profits
- opportunities to speak at CFG events and respond to CFG policy and regulation consultations
- regular support from CFG in identifying emerging issues that will affect their organisations
Notes to editors:
Sporta (Sports and Recreation Trusts Association) is a national members’ association representing leisure and culture charitable trusts and social enterprises across the UK. Sporta’s mission is to be the recognised voice of leisure and culture trusts; to raise awareness of our members’ and their social impact; and to protect the status of the trust model.
For more information:
Please contact Cate Atwater at Sporta on 07817 764786, email: cateatwater@sporta.org or Kate Bines at Charity Finance Group on 07739 031992, or email kate.bines@cfg.org.uk
« Back to all news