Spending Review 2025 from IFS This is not an austerity Spending Review, though much of the government’s largesse, such as it is, was focused on the first two years of the parliament. Small charity week 23 to 28 June Small Charity Week is a campaign to empower the UK’s small charities to have an even greater impact…
Using impact strategy to make a bigger difference An interesting piece from NPC about how the National Lottery Community Fund is changing its funding approaches to be more impactful. Susan really liked the idea of an interactive learning bank. Charity sector development report 2025 Recent overview of the charity sector from Grant Thornton looking not…
Decision making in uncertain times Four questions to ask before making a decision in uncertain times What decision today will still make sense a year from now? If a year from now this decision was used as an example of our leadership, what would it teach? What if this isn’t the storm – what if…
Framing the Future: The Political Case for Strengthening the Visual Arts Ecosystem In case you missed the release of this report. Using Strategic Foresight to Create the World We Want Reminder from SSIR in 2024 of the importance of developing literacy in futures thinking with good links and tips. The future begins in the imagination.…
Building Foresight Capabilities: Introducing Futures Platform’s Foresight Maturity Model We’ve been thinking a lot about foresight recently. This blog outlines an interesting Foresight Maturity Model. How can trustees be more adaptive and systemic? For trustees: a free online session with NPC looking at how trustees can be more adaptive and systemic. Charities are becoming…
Response to the Spring Statement from the IFS ‘..overall, this was a holding exercise ahead of the really significant decisions later in the year. The June Spending Review will be where the Chancellor’s tighter spending plans crystallise into specific choices and start bumping up against reality.’ Biases in decision making Advice from McKinsey on four key biases…
Social justice funders ‘not doing enough to support people and communities’ The research reports that new funder initiatives have emerged to invest in work that supports community organisation and the wider infrastructure that is needed to support and sustain it. However, the authors argue that funders are not doing enough to enable this work to…
Andrew Purkis: Paying trustees must not become the norm An ongoing debate particularly as trustee recruitment has become more challenging. This is one perspective on a matter that is worth debating further. There are certainly valid arguments on both sides. Interested in a free content strategy workshop? A great opportunity if you’re looking to refresh…
Making tax digital A reminder for all freelancers that the new regime kicks in next year. Certain Uncertainties New horizon scanning research for the creative industries from CoSTAR ForesightLAB – lots to think with Six moves CEOs can make to drive change A useful reminder for leaders of how to focus for greatest impact –…
Starting with the end in mind Some brave and thoughtful thinking from our friends at The Decelerator. Arts Council Review: Call for evidence A survey has been opened for contributions to the Arts Council review. Deadline is midday 24th April 2025, please make sure you contribute. Third places and why we need them As discussions…
Generative AI in leadership Recent research looking at how Gen AI is rapidly reshaping how we work from Capgemini. The Met: Art Links Find the links between artworks in the Met collection to create a chain. Amusement for a train journey! Enhancing the impact of volunteering Five ways to enhance the impact of volunteering from…
DSC responds to the government’s Spending Review DSC has already fed into a joint submission by the Civil Society Group, but we wanted to go further in some areas that we think are particularly important for the charity sector – such as the Charity Commission, Local Government, and the impact of increased Employer National Insurance…
Re-framing overheads A fascinating and very timely report on changing the conversation about overheads from Australia together with some great tools. Charity Investment Governance Principles Helpful new guidance on charity investments has just been published. It is well aligned with the Charity Governance Code and provides clear advice on complying with the Charity Commission’s guidance.…