Charity Finance

Charity Finance magazine is the essential resource for everyone interested in the financial side of running a charity.  Published ten times a year, it combines technical, legal and regulatory updates with exclusive supplier benchmarking research, thought leadership, interviews, case studies and other in-depth features to help you develop your strategic financial capabilities and enhance your leadership prospects.  See “about our research” below for more details of our research programme. Charity Finance was first published in 1990.

Fundraising

Fundraising Magazine is the UK’s only printed magazine for professional charity fundraisers. It is packed with case studies of successful fundraising campaigns, how-to guides and the latest developments in all fundraising techniques, as well as interviews with and opinions from leaders in the sector. Each issue also contains exclusive interviews with funders and industry leaders, in-depth features on the latest issues and case studies of campaigns and fundraising best practice. Fundraising Magazine was acquired by Civil Society Media in 2005 (then called Professional Fundraising) and has been distributed to all individual members of the Institute of Fundraising as a member benefit since 2014.

Governance & Leadership

Published as Governance magazine for its first ten years, in 2016 we changed the title to Governance & Leadership in recognition of the fact that good governance is as much the responsibility of executive leadership teams as trustee boards.  Published every two months, Governance & Leadership provides a news roundup, updates on law and regulation, and keeps readers informed about changes to the external environment in which their charities operate.  Regular columnists offer a variety of perspectives and opinions on the issues facing charities, the People & Culture section covers the role of culture and values in organisational success, and the Law & Guidance features advice straight from the Charity Commission. 

Charity Finance Yearbook

Published annually since 1996, the Charity Finance Yearbook is the ultimate reference source for charity finance professionals.  Produced by the Charity Finance editorial and research team it includes updates, advice and trends on accounting and audit, VAT and taxation, investment and banking, social investment, risk, funding, performance and governance, law and regulation, HR and pensions, IT and property. 

SORP Compliance Checklist

The Charity Finance SORP Compliance Checklist is a comprehensive working document that crystallises essential reporting responsibilities for the busy charity practitioner or adviser. It has been designed specifically for use by all UK charities preparing accruals-based accounts. 

Using the checklist could not be simpler. A step-by-step journey through the detailed requirements of the 2015 Statement of Recommended Practice on accounting by charities ensures correct treatment and disclosure throughout the financial statement. This practical resource also acts as an invaluable aid for charitable companies faced with harmonising SORP and Companies Act requirements. 

Charity Finance Summit

The Charity Finance Summit is our flagship conference for senior finance professionals and their teams, and combines two previously standalone events – the Charity VAT & Tax Conference and the Charity Investment Conference, with a third stream on Risk and Strategy. 

The Summit has grown and evolved into the premier event in the charity finance calendar. Attended by more than 400 delegates annually, the conference balances technical, gritty accounting and tax topics with strategic and ‘bigger picture’ views, as well as a lively exhibition and plenty of networking opportunities.  

Charity Investment Forum

The Charity Investment Dinner is a residential, invitation-only event for charities with investment assets in excess of £5m. Attended annually by over 100 charity finance directors, chairs, trustees and chief executives responsible for investment portfolios, the forum helps charities shape their strategies and maximise returns. 

Attendance is free for qualifying charities thanks to the ongoing support of our sponsors from leading investment management firms, and includes the pre-forum dinner, overnight accommodation, and the forum seminars. The event combines high-level investment insight with ample opportunities to meet and discuss problems with peers and charity investment professionals in a relaxed environment away from the hustle and bustle of busy life. 

The ESG Imperative

The ESG Imperative is a thought-leading conference that considers the emerging importance of environmental, social and governance issues in charities. We have developed this conference over the past couple of years in response to the rise of the ESG agenda and an increasing onus on organisations to prioritise sustainability and ethics. Our agenda is designed with charity finance professionals, CEOs, trustees and other senior leadership roles in mind.

We have two content streams running throughout the event; one is dedicated specifically to the complexities of responsible investment, and the other offers practical advice for organisations beginning their ESG transformation journey. The aim is to create an open forum for open discussion on the myriad of ethical issues facing today’s charity, imparting practical advice and leaving them better-equipped to take meaningful action.   

Elevate

Born from the fusion of two of our flagship events, Fundraising Live and the Charity Technology Conference, ELEVATE reflects the radical changes that have taken place over recent years. The cost-of-living crisis and escalating demand for charitable services have changed the giving landscape and presented unparalleled challenges for fundraisers. However, rapid advancements in technology and digital engagement have also presented new opportunities for innovation. Elevate has been devised by the expert team at Fundraising Magazine with the aim of supporting charities navigate these challenges and take their fundraising to the next level.

Faith Charities Forum

Our annual Faith Charities Forum is a one-day conference focusing on inspiring leaders of faith charities. The programme has been developed in response to in-depth research with sector professionals and specifically designed to address the unique challenges facing organisations working in this field.  The aim is to create a lively and relaxed forum for open discussion and incorporates ample opportunities for networking. Aimed at senior operational roles within the faith sector, sessions range across technical briefings, roundtable discussions and challenging panel debates, in order for delegates to tailor their day to best suit their organisation’s priorities.

Trustee Exchange

Trustee Exchange has evolved and grown into a unique forum for trustees and executive teams to find solutions to shared charity governance issues and exchange knowledge and experience with each other. Developed in conjunction with our bi-monthly publication Governance & Leadership the purpose of this one-day conference is to provide an open forum for discussion and debate. 

The agenda comprises of inspirational plenary speakers and interactive breakout sessions across four different streams so that attendees can tailor the day to suit their level of knowledge and specific interests. Workshops and technical briefings focus on developments across key subject areas including Fundraising & Communications, Finance, Compliance and People & Culture. The ethos of the day remains the same, to connect and inspire people committed to good governance, and incorporates plenty of networking opportunities including a seated lunch and a lively drinks reception.

Charity Shops Survey

The Charity Shops Survey is the definitive analysis of how the UK's charity shop chains are performing . It includes detailed financial benchmarking data revealing: 
•    Overall profits
•    Income sources such as donated goods, bought-in goods, rag and gift aid
•    Costs such as shop rents and staffing
•    Volunteer numbers

Charity Audit Survey

The Audit Survey is Charity Finance's longest-running survey, and has been widely credited with helping to suppress audit-fee inflation. It lists:
•    The top audit firms serving the sector and their fee revenue
•    The average audit fees paid by charities of different sizes
•     Ratings for how satisfied charities are with their auditors' performance

Charity Fund Management Survey

Charity Finance's Fund Management Survey provides an in-depth insight into in the investment firms serving the sector, as well as the latest trends in fund management. Using data provided by all of the major firms, it reveals:
•    Which have the most charity clients
•    How much they invest on their behalf
•    The latest thinking on issues such as socially responsible investment 

Charity Pooled Funds Survey

Most charities do not have sufficient funds to invest on a segregated basis, making pooled funds their gateway into the markets. However, even larger investors these days recognise that pooled funds offer an easy means for diversification and cost-efficiency. Even segregated investors may find that their managers have stationed large portions of their portfolio in pooled funds.
This survey canvasses fund managers' views on:
•    The merits of pooled versus segregated investment
•    The merits of charity-specific pooled funds such as the new Charity Authorised Investment Fund (CAIF), compared to those on the wider market
•    Risk and return characteristics of pooled funds

Chief Executives Survey

Our biennial guide to the chief executives running the UK's 100 largest charities, revealing who they are as well as their backgrounds, gender, pay levels and thoughts on the role.

Finance Directors Survey

Our biennial guide to the people guarding the purse-strings of the UK's 100 largest charities, revealing who they are as well as their backgrounds, gender and thoughts on the role.

Charity Banking Survey

The Charity Banking Survey is an in-depth guide to the banks serving the non-profit sector. It includes:
•    What banks are most popular among charities in different income categories
•    Which banks score the highest ratings for customer satisfaction
•    Analysis of mergers and acquisitions in the banking marketplace
•    Charity views on ethical banking

Fundraising Directors Survey

This biennial list of the fundraising directors at the top 100 charities is the go-to reference resource for top performers in the sector. Ranked by voluntary income raised at each organisation, the survey shines a spotlight on the most successful income generators and provides insight into the current demographic make-up of the sector’s senior management.

50 Most Influential People in Fundraising

Our annual list of the most influential people in fundraising looks at who is having the most impact on the sector and why. The peer-nominated list is a popular (and slightly tongue-in-cheek) look at the big personalities in the industry and their contributions to its development.

25 Under 35 – the Rising Stars of Fundraising

This is our popular biennial list that focuses on the upcoming stars in fundraising. Nominated by their peers and selected by a judging panel, those on the list represent the cream of fundraising talent under the age of 35.

CRM Survey

With data gathered from hundreds of charities, this survey offers a snapshot of the current state of customer relationship management software in the sector – which providers and packages are the most popular and how they are performing. The list provides an essential overview for any organisation looking to acquire a new CRM package or overhaul its existing one.
 

The Charity Awards is Civil Society Media’s annual awards programme held to identify, recognise and reward those organisations doing exceptional work in all areas of charitable activity.

The Charity Awards is a year-round programme that uses Civil Society Media’s portfolio of magazines, reports, events and websites to celebrate and highlight best practice across the sector.  It has its own website at charityawards.co.uk.

The Charity Awards are judged by a respected panel of voluntary sector heavyweights, each of them leaders in their own fields with years of experience of leading and managing civil society organisations. The judges assess each entry against ten Hallmarks of Excellence – ten traits or attributes that should be present in any successful project.

Awards are given out in ten categories and an overall winner is chosen from the winners in each category.

www.charityawards.co.uk