Why is Small Charity Week important for small charities and community groups across the UK and beyond?
First and foremost, there aren’t enough opportunities to shout out loud about the amazing work of small and local charities and community groups and Small Charity Week helps to raise awareness of their work as well as giving them access to valuable information and networks across the week.
It’s vitally important after eight years of cuts when councils are increasingly prioritising their diminishing resources on statutory services that the most vulnerable, have access to a broader range of support including preventative support that intervenes prior to a statutory service being required. For the most part it’s small and local services run by small and local charities and community groups that provide this vital link in the chain for those in need.
The demand for these services has increased by a staggering 134 per cent since June 2013, whilst at the same time income from voluntary sources has flatlined. Its therefore important that small charitable organisations raise their profile so that local people, companies and funding bodies are aware of what they do and that more funding opportunities are open to them to ensure that their vital services continue.
A small charity or community group getting involved in Small Charity Week 2018 will have opportunities to raise its profile locally with the public and wider business community as well as with their local council. Each day of the week is themed so they can dip in and out of the week taking advantage of the opportunities that are most pertinent to them. So, what on offer?
Monday: I Love Small Charities Day: three competitions with cash prizes which will help small charities engage with supporters and raise their profile
Tuesday: Big Advice Day when small charities tell us what advice they need an we match them with an expert in that field providing tailored information. If there is a burning desire to speak to a CSR manager about corporate fundraising or advice is needed from an HR professional and more this is the chance to access free expert advice.
Wednesday: Policy Day is about engaging with local or national government through a range of events locally and in Westminster. International Charities can join the round table discussing collaboration across the international community and charity leaders delivering services in the UK can come to a reception hosted by the Minister Tracy Crouch MP, again focussing on collaboration.
Thursday: Fundraising Day which delivers five separate initiates through which charities can raise funds. These include a matched funding initiate from Local Giving, free membership competition from Remember a Charity, ability to have the charity’s fundraising message to feature on eBay Give at Checkout and receive a donation. All of these opportunities, plus the opportunity for up to 250 charities to attend the FSI’s annual Fundraising Conference and download a range of toolkits.
Friday: Small Charity Big Impact Day is about shouting loud and proud about the work of small charities through the FSI Small Charity Big Impact Awards, the five winners of this year’s awards will be announced and each will receive a package of support including a video of their work that demonstrates their impact, plus support packages for runners up and highly commended.
Saturday: Celebration Day is earmarked for charities to hold their own events or for their supports to hold events for them a perfect opportunity to celebrate their favourite small charities acheivements.
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