Special Interest Groups

All CFG members can join the Special Interest Groups as a free member benefit.

What are Special interest Groups (SIGs)? 

Our SIGs are CFG member-only communities. Tailored networks for the more specific aspects of charity and not-for-profit organisations. They’re designed to help you connect with peers and experts in a similar arena and offer further events relevant to your sector.  

What value do SIGs add? 

The SIGs all have tailored offerings based on the community. You can see the specifics that each community can offer you by clicking the groups below. As an overview, however, we offer our communities more bespoke and free events chaired by experts in the field. Certain SIGs also have a secure community focused discussion group to assist in networking and support. This networking aspect is currently planned to expand to other SIGs, so if the offering isn’t immediately available, we are hoping to offer it to you soon.  

How do I join a SIG? 

The process is quick and simple. All you need to do is email our membership team and they will guide you through the process. 

LCSIG: Large Charities Special Interest Group

Open to all CFG members who are part of a charity with an income of over £25m per year 

  • Three SIG meetings with specialist speakers per year 
  • Dedicated annual LCSIG conference 
  • Chaired by Rajit Gholap, Director of Finance at Prostate Cancer UK & Stuart Fox, CFO at RNIB 
  • A live and secure discussion group platform available for all LCSIG members 
OSSIG: Overseas Special interest Group

Open to all CFG members who are international charities with headquarters within the UK

  • Two free webinars with specialist speakers per year 
  • Dedicated annual OSSIG conference 
  • Quarterly mailings with specialist content and resources on CFG knowledge hub 
  • Chaired by Gary Forster Chief Executive Officer at Publish What You Fund
  • Maintains an OSSIG LinkedIn group for peer-to-peer conversations
  • Coming soon: a new discussion group platform for easier networking and sharing

We're now recruiting steering committee members for OSSIG, interested?

Steering Committee

Name Organisation
Gary Forster  OSSIG co-chair, CFG trustee & Publish What You Fund
Ashley Wang  Overseas Development Institute
Javed Akhtar  CFG Associate Member
Julia Bunting  WaterAid
Saf Rahbour  CFG trustee & The Tropical Health and Education Trust
Sharon Martin  Born Free Foundation
Tim Boyes-
Watson		 Humentum

OSSIG terms of reference

FIGSIG: Finance In Grantmaking Special Interest Group

Open to all CFG members who are responsible for financial management in trusts, foundations or grantmaking, regardless of charity size

  • Collaborates with the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF)
  • Two free webinars with specialist speakers per year 
  • Currently chaired by CFG while an independent chair is assigned 
  • Coming soon: a new discussion group platform for easier networking and sharing
ARTSIG: Arts Sector Special Interest Group

Open to all CFG members with the unique challenge of being in the arts space

  • The group supports ongoing policy work and shares learnings and updates
  • Two free webinars with specialist speakers per year 
  • Chaired by Pascale Nicholls, Director of Finance and Governance at the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment  
  • A live and secure discussion group platform available for all ARTSIG members 
AIMSIG: Association of Independent Museums Special Interest Group

Open to all CFG and AIM (Association of Independent Museums) members 

  • Two free webinars with specialist speakers per year 
  • Currently chaired by CFG while an independent chair is assigned 

If you are an AIM member registered with CFG, email our team to join the AIMSIG. If you would like register for CFG membership for free through your AIM membership, go to cfg.org.uk/aim

Finance Leaders Discussion Forum

Open to all CFG members, and is aimed at all finance leaders regardless of their level of experience in the charity sector 

  • The group aims to connect those who may be new to the charity sector with those who have charity finance experience in order to support one another  
  • Quarterly meetings with an agenda shaped by the group members and guest contributors 
  • Chaired by Jon King Director of Finance and Corporate Resources from the Social Care Institute of Excellence 
  • A live and secure discussion group platform available for all members 
Small Charities Support

Alongside our Special Interest Groups, we offer ongoing support to all small charities through our Small Charities Programme and by making vital information freely available to all.

We understand that you want reliable information, advice and support at your fingertips and fast.

To help boost your impact, we are developing more resources, courses and events for small charities than ever before.

You can see some of our small charities guides here.