The rising cost of living crisis is impacting us all, and charities are no exception. Fundraising challenges, cost of business increases and volunteer and staff stability are just some of the many issues we may face.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing a selection of free resources here in our cost of living hub.
It is our hope to provide you with the ideas, strategies and tools you need to help you, your teams and your communities work through the cost of living crisis together.
We will also be featuring content, resources and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, which is readily accessible from the CFG homepage.
We are also immensely grateful to our corporate and sector partners who share their expertise and advice so willingly. It’s this unfailing sense of partnership and community that keeps our sector alive and resilient – and delivering positive impact every single day.
“Our biggest challenges may still be yet to come and our work teams, the communities we serve, and wider society will need our sector’s energy and support... What you do matters more than ever.”Caron Bradshaw OBE, CEO, Charity Finance Group
From our Knowledge Hub
The following articles and resources are being made freely available to all organisations during the cost of living crisis. We will be adding to this bank of resources. If there is anything you'd like to see added here, please get in touch.
Cost of living overview
Tracey Moore from UHY Hacker Young provides a quick overview of some of the things your organisation can think about and do at this time of high inflation and soaring costs. From income diversification to looking after your people, this is a must-read: The cost of living: what can your charity do now?
Supporting your people
How can you help workers and volunteers facilitate the communities they serve as the cost of living crisis takes hold? Annie Hayes’ provides four ideas to get you thinking about your most important asset: How can charity employers support employees?
And here are seven quick tips for employers looking to give extra support to employees, thanks to HSF health plan.
Reducing costs and increasing income
How can your charity maximise its resources to weather the cost of living crisis? Hannah Lyons from Bates Wells looks at income diversification, unlocking assets and good governance: Weathering the cost of living storm.
Energy usage and reduction is one of the most important issues of our time. Do we really understand the energy we use? And how can we get to grips with our consumption AND reduce it? Ruaire Glackin from Utility Aid shares a helpful guide. Don’t do anything until you’ve read this: Understanding energy consumption.
CFG's corporate partners, 2buy2, explain how good procurement is key to weathering the inflation storm and delivering your strategic objectives. As prices rise, look to procurement!
James Field of Smartdesk shares helpful advice on what your organisation can do to reduce IT costs.
Is your organisation managing cash well? In this article, Insignis takes a look at how cash can earn more.
What's driving up insurance premiums? And what can you do about it? Simon Hickman of Access Insurance provides advice and insights.
Inflation, investments and reserves
Responding to the latest spike in inflation, how can charities respond from an investment perspective? Patrick Trueman from James Hambro & Partners considers some of the implications of high inflation and shares some tips: How to invest in a world of high inflation.
What does high inflation mean for your cash reserves? How can you make the most of your assets? And is it a good time to invest? Vicky Eastwood from Brewin Dolphin explains more: Making your assets work for you.
CFG's Caron Bradshaw OBE has been thinking about the issue of reserves against a backdrop of old and new crises. Is it time to review your reserves policy? If so, how?
Reducing risk, boosting resilience
A business continuity plan is vital during the good times and the bad. If you’re not sure where to start, read our latest advice from Access Insurance. Don’t get caught out by disasters! Six steps to developing a business continuity plan.
What's the best way to prepare for and manage a crisis? Philip Kirkpatrick, Deputy Managing Partner at Bates Wells, shares some quick pointers and a handy checklist: Managing in a crisis: a guide.
Internal fraud is growing fast, according to the latest Charity Fraud Report from BDO and Fraud Advisory Panel. Read the report's highlights, including advice on what you can do to reduce the risk of costly fraud.
Sector support and other useful resources
Read our Spring Budget 2023 commentary and analysis.
CFG reacts to the spring budget announcements and urges government to engage constructively with the sector to develop real, lasting solutions to economic crisis.
Webinar: Join NCVO, SCVO and our corporate partner Utility Aid on 9 February 2023 for a free online webinar: How to manage rising energy costs - what next for charities? Find out more about the new scheme and gain some valuable tips on reducing energy costs.
State of the Sector Survey
The results of the Pro Bono Economic and Nottingham Business School survey have been published. The report shows the troubling state of the sector and how it is struggling to cope with the cost of living crisis. Read more about it on our website and download the report. Thank you to all those charities and CFG members that responded to the survey to provide vital data and evidence.
Available grants and funding
Fundraising UK has a helpful list of the latest grants and funding available around the UK.
Charity Excellence has provided this free UK funding finder tool.
Head to DSC's website for advice on navigating the grant-making galaxy or head straight to their invaluable Guide to Major Trusts 2023/24, 'the UK’s definitive detailed guide to grant funding.'
Benevolent funds
ACCA Global Benevolent Fund
Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association (CABA)
Museums Association Benevolent Fund
A list of benevolent funds across all sectors/professions, courtesy of ACO, the UK’s umbrella body of benevolent funds and charitable organisations that provide financial and wellbeing services to individuals.
What is the sector doing?
In October, CFG's CEO, Caron Bradshaw OBE, joined with 28 other sector leaders to sign a joint letter calling on government to provide support to communities and consider the UK charity and voluntary sector's experiences in any future reviews of its support schemes. Read the letter to the Chancellor.
Other sector resources and hubs we recommend
Association of Chief Executive of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) cost of living hub
Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) cost of living resources
Charities Aid Foundation cost of living hub
Chartered Institute of Fundraising cost of living support
Directory of Social Change cost of living hub
NCVO cost of living support
SCVO's cost of living and the #RunningCostsCrisis
In the news
Below are links to media reports and news articles about the cost of living crisis and its impact on the charity sector. This is not an exhaustive list, but is a selection that also includes commentary from CFG.
03/02/2023
In depth: How are charities managing their energy bills? with commentary from CFG
Author: Russell Hargrave, Third Sector
21/12/2022
'Cost of Living and Charities' a Radio 4 Moneybox programme with CFG's CEO Caron Bradshaw OBE
22/11/2022
Umbrella groups warn of 'cliff edge' unless charities get energy support beyond March
Author: Russell Hargrave, Third Sector
26/10/2022
Charity leaders call on Hunt to act as sector 'cannot replace government funding'
Author: Lea Legraien, Civil Society
17/10/2022
Charity sector bodies react to Hunt emergency statement
Author: Rob Preston
01/09/2022
Cost of living crisis: Joint statement
A joint letter to government from the Civil Society Group, including CFG
Sharing is caring
Do you have a resource, tool or article relevant to charity finance that you'd like to see shared? Is there something that should be here but isn't?
Perhaps you have a story to share about your organisation's experiences of the rising cost of living and how you're managing?
We are always looking for new resources, case studies on the impact of the cost of living crisis, and how charities are coping – so that we can carry on supporting others.
Please contact the team.
Charity Finance Group is a Living Wage employer. Find out more about the Living Wage Foundation and accreditation.
