CFG's highlights of 2024
18 December 2024
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.
CFG's winter shutdown and wellbeing week
11 December 2024
CFG’s Communications Officer, Glyn Sheldon, explains the value of CFG’s winter wellbeing week, which enables staff to better support our members and partners by allowing us time to refresh and ...
Transforming your employee rewards
9 December 2024
Facing an ongoing cost of living crisis and with operating cost increases on the horizon, many charities will be looking to the future with some trepidation and will be thinking ...
Q&A with Tony Wells, CFG Trustee
22 November 2024
We spoke to one of CFG's Trustees, Tony Wells, who shared his experiences and perspectives on the vital role of trustees in the charity sector.
Self-care and self-compassion
22 November 2024
This National Self-Care week we are sharing an article, originally written by MHFA England, to highlight the importance of both self-care, and self-compassion to our overall wellbeing.
Workplace safety: addressing sexual harassment
8 November 2024
Employers now have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and create a safe working environment. In this article, CFG shares what it's doing to strengthen ...
A tribute to Ian Theodoreson
1 November 2024
CFG's CEO Caron Bradshaw pays personal tribute to Ian Theodoreson and invites friends and colleagues to sign our virtual book of remembrance.
Remembering Sharon Daley
22 October 2024
Geetha Rabindrakumar pays tribute to Sharon Daley, a 'talented' and 'passionate' charity finance professional.
The perfect storm for charities - and a survival plan
18 October 2024
Simon Leicester poses some questions that may be affecting many charities in the sector, and also provides some potential solutions. By implementing these strategies, Simon argues that charities can improve ...
Dismantling racism: my lived experience
19 July 2024
CFG's Deputy CEO Sarah Lomax shares her lived experience of racism, and highlights the importance of data collection and self-reflection for dismantling racism and building a more equitable workplace.
Getting to know you... Holly Lown
16 July 2024
Engaging charity members and supporting diverse communities is Holly Lown's main focus as CFG's Membership Engagement Assistant. Holly talks about how she's combining her passion for museums and culture with ...
The road to hell or hope?
5 July 2024
Reflecting on the results of the 2024 General Election, CFG's Caron Bradshaw OBE, shares her thoughts on making change happen in the current political landscape.
How the RSPCA increased Gift Aid income
10 April 2024
Maximising Gift Aid income is the name of the game... Phoebe Cooper from RSPCA shares how the charity increased opt-in rates and income with behavioural economics and telephones.
A legacy that will live on
9 April 2024
After eight years on CFG’s board of trustees, Gary Forster has bid farewell to CFG. Talking to Emma Abbott, Gary reflects on his time as chair, the many highlights, the ...
Getting to know you... Dionne Sturdy-Clow
5 April 2024
Thanks to generous funding through The Rank Foundation's Time2Shine programme, CFG has created a brand new post for an aspiring leader. Dionne Sturdy-Clow talks about her new role, how she'll ...
We're celebrating The Finance Journey at 10!
13 February 2024
CFG's finance development tool celebrates its tenth birthday this year. Simon Hopkins - author of The Finance Journey - explains why it's more important than ever and shares a call ...
Risk and resilience in 2024
17 January 2024
What lays ahead in 2024? Sam Burne James speaks to charity sector leaders for their predictions, insights and advice on how to reduce risk, remain resilient and prepare for the ...
Looking ahead with fresh perspective
19 December 2023
After another challenging year for the charity sector, CFG's CEO, Caron Bradshaw OBE, shares some personal reflections on looking ahead with renewed hope and fresh perspectives.
Why I value CFG's Wellbeing Week
13 December 2023
Since 2021, CFG has been observing two Wellbeing Weeks a year. Clare Mills, Director of Policy and Communications at CFG, explains why taking extra time out to focus on our ...
Diversity in practice: charity governance
31 October 2023
Is your charity board clear on best practice around diversity? Sung-Hyui Park and Tesse Akpeki from Bates Wells take a look at the Charity Governance Code and share its key ...
Rethinking the future
26 September 2023
CFG's CEO, Caron Bradshaw OBE, shares her thoughts on the future of the economy and the sustainability of infrastructure bodies following the closure of Children England.
Generational diversity: how diverse is your board?
21 September 2023
How should charities structure their trustee boards to best address the societal, economic and technological shifts that they face? David Myrddin-Evans from Brewin Dolphin explores the issues.
Creating Hope Through Action: WSPD 2023
13 September 2023
**TG: This content is about suicide, prevention and bereavement which some people might find distressing or emotionally challenging. Find out how CFG's Eve Trotman is 'creating hope through action' as ...
How to avoid employment tribunal claims
11 September 2023
Defending an employment tribunal can cost your organisation dearly, in time as well as money. Rebecca Pallot from Mills & Reeve shares best practice guidance on how to avoid being ...
Volunteer's view: Making money, making jam
1 August 2023
On Yorkshire Day and the final day of National Preserving Week 2023, we talk to Ruth Bentley, Director at LAKE, about how she's turning fruit into funds for RSPCA York, ...
To boldly go, into a charity merger
12 May 2023
Ben Clarkson, Chief Operating Officer at Asthma + Lung UK, explains what it takes to lead a successful merger of two charities and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Member interview: A guide star for life
25 April 2023
Steve Murrill from Philo Trust talks to Emma Abbott about being a CFG member and how CFG has helped him throughout his career, in charities large and small.
Where to begin with a pension salary exchange
5 April 2023
What is a pension salary exchange? How can you implement one? Pension schemes might be the last thing you want to contemplate, but Nick Bustin from Haysmacintyre says it's time ...
Evolving leadership styles in a post-pandemic world
3 April 2023
Earlier this year, Robin Aitken shared his thoughts on how changes in our working environment are affecting styles of leadership. Here, Robin summarises his thinking and gives some tips for ...
Now's the time to invest – in your people
24 March 2023
Now is the optimum time to think about your people strategy and how your organisation can attract and retain the best talent. David Gibbens from RSM UK sets out some ...
Creating a supportive space for finance leaders
24 March 2023
Managing a charity's finances can be daunting, especially if you're new to the sector. Jon King, Head of Finance and Corporate Resources at SCIE, explains how he developed a new ...
Are you on The Finance Journey?
14 March 2023
How can your charity finance team become truly transformational? What does that even look like? Emma Abbott takes a look at CFG's flagship development tool, The Finance Journey, to find ...
Great values: the beating heart of charity
7 March 2023
CFG’s HR Manager, Laura Millar, talks about the work CFG is doing to understand the charity’s values and how these can drive the charity’s impact, culture and wellbeing.
Recruitment and small charities
7 March 2023
When small charities begin, it’s likely that everything is done by trustees and other volunteers. But in time, if your charity grows, you could be in a position to take ...
Working with local communities
27 February 2023
Following on from sessions delivered at CFG's Annual Conference and Alternative Income Generation event, Helena Wilkinson from Price Bailey explains how to improve financial sustainability by getting closer to your ...
Getting off to a great start
19 January 2023
Ongoing uncertainties and challenges can make us worry about the future. But with the right support, networks and advice, 2023 can get off to a great start, writes Emma Abbott.
The charity safety net is fraying fast
21 December 2022
New research shows that charities and community groups are now facing a very difficult winter and some very hard choices. Pro Bono Economics and Nottingham Business School share the results ...
Getting it right: holiday pay for part-year workers
2 December 2022
Does your organisation employ part-year workers? Are you paying them the correct holiday entitlement? Caroline Jones from BDO explains the impact of the recent Harpur Trust ruling v Brazel Supreme ...
Let's get behind Giving Tuesday!
29 November 2022
On Giving Tuesday, Clare Mills shares how charities have supported her through the darkest and brightest days, and why Giving Tuesday is the perfect time to appreciate those charitable organisations ...
Age is no barrier to being a charity trustee
10 November 2022
Becoming a new charity trustee can be daunting; there’s paperwork to be read, meetings to attend and legal obligations to grapple with. But it’s also hugely rewarding, especially when the ...
Getting to know you: Tim Nicholls
9 November 2022
Tim Nicholls from The Arts Society talks about his new role as a CFG trustee, his passion for volunteering (and football) and the importance of inspiring others in charity finance.
Remote working, works! Here's how…
26 July 2022
Does remote working really work? Presenting at this year’s CFG Annual Conference on 30 June, Kirsten Buck and Katy Stanley from PTHR, shared how they’ve made ‘remote first’ work for ...
Reflections on Small Charity Week 2022
28 June 2022
At the close of Small Charity Week, Dr Clare Mills shares some personal reflections on why she loves small charities and where our communities would be without them.
Meet our Sponsors: PIB Insurance Brokers
6 June 2022
Ahead of CFG’s Annual Conference 2022, we talk to sponsors Stewart Archdale and Laurent Falter from PIB Insurance Brokers about what this year’s conference theme – Purposeful and Empowering – ...
Hallmarks of a successful merger process
27 May 2022
What can make or break a charity merger? Jonathan Orchard from Sayer Vincent shares some recent experiences of charity mergers and the lessons learned.
Meet our Sponsors: HW Fisher
17 May 2022
With CFG’s Annual Conference 2022 just around the corner, we talk to Carol Rudge from HW Fisher about this year’s Annual Conference theme – Purposeful and Empowering – and what ...
Building a home for members
24 March 2022
What does it mean to be a member of the CFG community? And how are members helping to shape the benefits and services CFG provides? We talk to Jit Mistry, ...
Finance Focus February 2022
28 February 2022
How can we shape tomorrow's world? In this edition, we take a look at the issue of leadership and how charity finance professionals can play a leading role in creating ...
Driving out scams and copycats
10 February 2022
In an honest account, Caron Bradshaw, CEO, CFG, shares how she fell foul of a copycat website scam and shares advice on how to avoid making the same mistake.
Finance Focus January 2022
28 January 2022
Welcome to the first edition of Finance Focus in 2022! This month, we welcome some new faces to CFG and dive into what the year ahead holds for policy and ...
Getting to know you: Dr Clare Mills
18 January 2022
CFG’s new Director of Policy & Communications, Dr Clare Mills, meets her new team and shares what led her to CFG, what excites her about the role and how CFG ...
Why the CFG team values Wellbeing Week
24 December 2021
CFG's Communications Manager, Emma Abbott, shares why dedicated time off to focus on wellbeing is the best way to kick-start a new year.
A personal appeal from Caron
21 December 2021
Can you help support CFG and the vital work we're doing right now; ensuring we're here to keep helping the sector, as we navigate these torrid times? CFG's CEO, Caron ...
Looking after our people
13 December 2021
After nearly two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, employee health and wellbeing has become a critical issue for all organisations. CFG's CEO, Caron Bradshaw OBE, explains how CFG is working ...
Finance Focus November/December 2021
10 December 2021
This month, we take a look at CRM solutions, data and fundraising and employer branding. We also explore what organisations are doing to ensure employee wellbeing.
Finance Focus July 2021
29 July 2021
Inclusivity - why does it matter to finance professionals? We speak to charity leaders this month about equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI). We also meet a small member charity - Jodie ...
Annual Conference 2021: Meet our Sponsors
22 July 2021
CFG is delighted to announce four sponsors for this year's CFG Annual Conference - Leading the Way: Effective, Inclusive, Resilient. We welcome HSBC Private Banking as the event's headline sponsor, ...
An enlightening experience
7 July 2021
Pascale Nicholls, Director of Finance and Governance at Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, shares a preview of her Annual Conference presentation, explaining how finance sits at the heart of ...
Facing organisational endings
1 July 2021
Charity consultant Iona Lawrence takes a look at the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and explains why organisational endings can and should be good.
Finance Focus May 2021
28 May 2021
Responsible investment is the focus of this month's edition. Our corporate partners share their advice and insights on how to invest responsibly and ethically. We also hear from Rachel Hewitt ...
Charity staff, mental health and the pandemic
10 May 2021
Jan Hutchinson, Director of Programmes at Centre for Mental Health, shares the charity's experiences of managing employee wellbeing and mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow...
23 April 2021
When CFG's Mentoring Scheme was launched for members in October 2019, no one could have predicted just how successful and valued it would become. Jessica Meddick, Senior Member and Insight ...
Bullying and leadership
1 March 2021
As more shocking accounts of bullying in parts of the sector unfold, Caron Bradshaw, CEO, shares her experiences and thoughts.
Finance Focus October 2020
23 October 2020
Welcome to the October 2020 edition of Finance Focus. Issues covered inside: Mental health; fraud; audits; training; Brexit and much more!
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme update
4 June 2020
By Richard Sagar, Policy Manager, Charity Finance Group. On 29 May, at the daily press briefing, the Chancellor announced that the government’s five tests for easing lockdown measures had been ...
Finance Focus Feb 2020
2 March 2020
Recruitment and retention How to recruit and retain top employees 1.0.0.20 1.0.0.20
Auto-enrolment for Small Charities
1 November 2013
From 2015 onwards, we estimate that 22,000 charities will have to comply with pension auto-enrolment regulations. To support small charities with the auto-enrolment process, CFG has produced this guide in ...