Laura Treneer
Nov 16, 2023, 10:00 AM
Compelling findings from recent donor research
Compelling findings from recent donor research
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Kate Nicholas
Nov 16, 2023, 9:00 AM
What does the Bible say about being a charity trustee?
What does the Bible say about being a charity trustee?
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Faith Chrisp
Nov 16, 2023, 8:00 AM
Unlocking the power of customer experience (CX) for non-profit leadership
Unlocking the power of customer experience (CX) for non-profit leadership
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Oct 19, 2023, 9:00 AM
How charities can bridge the gap in Black and Asian representation on trustee boards
How charities can bridge the gap in Black and Asian representation on trustee…
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Laura Treneer
Sep 14, 2023, 12:00 PM
Christmas planning: plan like a church leader if you want to reach churches
If you’re a charity wanting to speak to churches, take into account their…
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Dr Diego Arenas and Nicole Holgate
Sep 14, 2023, 9:00 AM
Putting your charity on the map
For charities, mapping is a way to look at your services with a bird's eye view,…
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Sep 14, 2023, 9:00 AM
The key to harmonious strategy development
Healthy, effective organisations have one vital thing in common: clarity of…
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Kate Nicholas
Sep 13, 2023, 9:00 AM
A time for thanksgiving
There are so many reasons for organisations to celebrate their own ‘Harvest…
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Andrew Middleton
Aug 16, 2023, 9:00 AM
Navigating strategic change: Striking the balance in nonprofit organisations
Change, an undeniable force, shapes the journey of nonprofit organisations.…
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Sean Tully
Jul 20, 2023, 9:00 AM
Practical steps for keeping your capital appeal spirits high
It’s funny how a fundraising target can so quickly draw focus from success to a…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jul 20, 2023, 7:00 AM
Charity partner – how to make the most of other people’s events
I thought it might be useful to share my insights as a festival organiser to…
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Eleanor Mitchell
Jul 12, 2023, 12:00 PM
Strategic planning as a foundation for success
The core of a charity is made up of essential components: governance,…
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Kate Nicholas
Jul 4, 2023, 8:30 AM
Leadership and the dangers of hubris
Hubris is a puffed up and excessive version of the sin of pride that our creator…
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Laura Treneer
Jun 21, 2023, 8:50 AM
Analysing digital performance – tips for small charities
Small charities tend to have a healthy respect for digital communications. If…
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Shelley Poole
Jun 14, 2023, 8:30 AM
The lonely HR - Who’s looking after the person who looks after everyone else?
Workplace isolation is a hot topic in HR circles. As I write, it is Loneliness…
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Kate Nicholas
May 19, 2023, 8:30 AM
Kingdom KPIs – What the Bible tells us about measuring success
One of the most important parts of strategy development is the identification of…
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Andrew Middleton
May 18, 2023, 12:12 PM
The art of attracting a Royal patron: tips and strategies for success
Gaining royal patronage can be a game-changer for a charity, bringing attention…
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Laura Treneer
May 17, 2023, 8:50 AM
New personas for UK evangelical Christians
Anyone who works in communications will know that before you can really connect…
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Laura Treneer
May 16, 2023, 2:19 PM
The AI debate – Could ChatGPT be the extra resource your charity needs?
So how can AI platforms like ChatGPT be useful in the charity sector? Who better…
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Jean Collingwood
May 15, 2023, 10:25 AM
The ultimate guide to working with Royal Patrons – Top tips for maximising the benefits, navigating the protocols and avoiding common pitfalls
Having a Royal Patron can bring huge benefits to a charity. It can help to raise…
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Carol Ward
Apr 19, 2023, 7:15 AM
Fundraising from the Marathon? How to make sure your runners cross the line
For small charities, especially those that had the foresight to invest in a…
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Emma Goulds
Apr 13, 2023, 7:15 AM
Fundraising review - is it time well spent?
If you’re in the throws of leading a charity or social enterprise, it can feel…
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Apr 13, 2023, 7:00 AM
How can small charities create bigger impact?
Impact can be a little Marmite: some embrace it as the core of everything they…
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Eleanor Mitchell
Apr 12, 2023, 12:00 PM
Consultancy – When and how to make it work for your small charity
Navigating consultancy options is a potential minefield for any sized charity.…
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Joy Gascoigne
Mar 24, 2023, 8:30 AM
Leading for the long haul – valuable lessons learned in life
Leadership expert John C Maxwell defines leadership as “influence, nothing more,…
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Kate Nicholas
Mar 15, 2023, 8:30 AM
Storytelling: Lessons from the parables
What does Biblical fundraising look like and can asking for funds ever be…
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Linda Trew
Mar 15, 2023, 8:00 AM
A.R.K. – three little letters that can make a big difference
As you go about your day today and the rest of your week, look out for the…
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Shelley Poole
Feb 15, 2023, 9:30 AM
How to help your people through the cost of living crisis
The cost of living crisis isn’t showing any immediate signs of improving, with…
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Andrew Rainsford
Feb 15, 2023, 9:00 AM
Unspent budget? Four dynamic ways to make it pay
We’re approaching the end the financial year, which may come as a relief if your…
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Kate Nicholas
Jan 16, 2023, 12:00 PM
Investing in the Kingdom; Biblical fundraising
What does Biblical fundraising look like and can asking for funds ever be…
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Simon Claridge
Dec 15, 2022, 12:00 PM
Appreciative Inquiry: a positive approach to problem solving
Problem solving is an important attribute for any charity leader, or indeed…
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Eleanor Mitchell
Dec 8, 2022, 12:00 PM
Getting in shape for 2023 – three focus areas to add to your planning
Three focus areas to add to your planning. Where we cannot change difficult…
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Felicia Willow
Dec 5, 2022, 12:00 PM
Charity reviews – how to spot a good one
A good review isn’t as simple as pointing out the differences between best…
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Andrew Barton
Nov 16, 2022, 12:00 PM
Five fundraising priorities during the cost of living crisis
Look after yourself and your team. Stay positive. And celebrate every success…
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Linda Trew
Nov 16, 2022, 10:00 AM
Theos Think Tank reveals depth of economic insecurity among people of faith
Hannah Rich from Theos Think Tank has revealed the findings of new research on…
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Linda Trew
Nov 16, 2022, 10:00 AM
An update from the Charity Commission for England and Wales
Colette Bennett from the Charity Commission recently presented at Faith…
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Andrew Rainsford
Nov 9, 2022, 2:00 PM
Warm Hubs; Warm Banks; Warm Welcome – is it the right thing for you?
One of the exciting things about the freelance world is the scope to challenge…
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Claire Mathys
Oct 3, 2022, 2:00 PM
Meeting an MP? The one question you must be ready for
If you want to succeed in influencing policy, you need to put in the leg work.…
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Kate Nicholas
Sep 22, 2022, 9:00 AM
Having a God-sized vision: What the Bible tells us about strategy
How do you feel about strategy as a Christian? There are some within the Church…
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Simon Claridge
Aug 17, 2022, 9:00 AM
What we really need are bicycles
This was the beautifully simple reply from the coordinator of a medium-sized…
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Linda Trew
Jul 29, 2022, 9:00 AM
Charities spend £900m a year applying for grant funding, new report reveals
Action Planning provides a trusts bid writing service for many charity clients,…
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Shelley Poole
Jul 9, 2022, 10:00 AM
Values in recruitment – How can charities find the ‘right’ employees?
Recruiting the ‘right’ people is an important part of managing a successful…
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Mark Billage
Jul 8, 2022, 2:00 PM
Trust crisis – are you meeting the fundamental needs of your team?
As I reflect on where we are as organisations, hopefully having weathered the…
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Kate Nicholas
Jul 8, 2022, 9:00 AM
Christian nervousness? How to bear witness authentically
Do you suffer from a level of nervousness when it comes to talking about your…
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Michelle Lawrence
May 18, 2022, 2:00 PM
A passion for collaboration – it’s just a case of joining the dots
I love the voluntary sector in this country. I’ve worked for and alongside…
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Emma Insley
May 5, 2022, 9:00 AM
Developing a culture of monitoring, evaluation and learning
The benefits of building a culture that values monitoring, evaluation and…
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Shelley Poole
Apr 11, 2022, 1:00 PM
Key HR trends for 2022 and how to prepare for them
Over two years after the start of the pandemic, we still find ourselves in…
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Andrew Humphreys
Apr 8, 2022, 1:00 PM
Long-term planning: lessons for charity leaders from the pandemic
It’s that time again, to produce the next long-term plan for your organisation.…
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Linda Trew
Mar 16, 2022, 3:00 PM
Planning a capital project? Where is the money coming from?
Do you need to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds – or perhaps millions – for…
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Andrew Rainsford
Mar 16, 2022, 1:30 PM
How to look after everyone’s interests in the post peak-COVID future
There is a feeling in some places that the COVID Crisis has now passed and that…
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Emma Insley
Mar 16, 2022, 1:00 PM
Giving responsibly to Ukraine – and what charities can learn
Sending your stuff or making an AirBnB booking isn’t the best way to make your…
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Eleanor Mitchell
Mar 15, 2022, 1:00 PM
Managing a hybrid workforce – how are your people coping?
When the world locked down in 2020, we were forced to abandon working practices…
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Clare Bamberger
Mar 15, 2022, 10:00 AM
Catching up? Pivoting? Radically rethinking? Why it’s worth getting advice on your organisation’s future
Your charity has survived the last two years. You have shown enormous…
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Sean Tully
Feb 9, 2022, 1:00 PM
High Value Grants fundraising: five big challenges in 2022
We identified five of the big challenges facing charities in 2022 – issues that…
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Primavera Moretti
Feb 1, 2022, 10:00 AM
Adding clout to your fundraising – Six ways in which a consultant can help you get the most out of trusts and foundations?
Charity leaders often question the value of consultants. “We need to raise more…
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Clare Bamberger
Jan 20, 2022, 1:00 PM
Structure your strategic ambition in a well-monitored action plan
An organisational strategy sets the direction and ambition for the future N…
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Maurice Adams
Jan 11, 2022, 10:00 AM
Will our organisation survive a(nother) crisis?
During the early stages of Covid disruption, there was a sense of “it will be…
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Felicia Willow
Jan 11, 2022, 10:00 AM
Crucial planning opportunity or annual waste of time? Five top tips for successful away days
Do an away day badly and you risk your efforts backfiring. You risk making the…
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Jan 5, 2022, 1:00 PM
Leading from the emerging future – Choosing a strategic planning process that is fit for purpose
After 25 years working in NGOs, and for the past 13 as Executive Director of…
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Clare Bamberger
Dec 20, 2021, 1:00 PM
Inclusion – a liberating watchword for 2022
Trustees are there to guide, not take the day-to-day decisions. The last two…
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Andrew Barton
Dec 8, 2021, 10:00 AM
Fuelling the engine – End-of-year fundraising questions for CEOs
In late September we had a lovely week on holiday in Falmouth. But a couple of…
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Andrew Rainsford
Dec 2, 2021, 8:00 AM
2021 – the year that relevance re-emerged
The word “challenging” keeps coming up. If challenging means “different” then it…
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Ruth Mulryne
Nov 23, 2021, 10:00 AM
How to succeed as an interim CEO
Talented interim leaders will have a role to play in a range of organisations as…
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Felicia Willow
Nov 23, 2021, 10:00 AM
The pros and cons of being an interim CEO
I’ve led six charities through periods of crisis, change and transition – and…
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David Bull
Nov 17, 2021, 10:00 AM
10 key challenges for not-for-profit sector CEOs (and how to solve them)
Being the CEO of a charitable organisation is exceptionally rewarding, but also…
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Andrew Middleton
Nov 10, 2021, 1:00 PM
3 reasons why charity CEOs need mentors
It is lonely and tough at the top. A charity CEO’s role requires tremendous…
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Primavera Moretti
Nov 9, 2021, 1:00 PM
8 water cooler comments CEOs shouldn’t overhear about themselves
Although you’re a leader, you’re also a member of a team, so walk with your…
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Maurice Adams
Nov 4, 2021, 9:00 AM
Thinking of becoming a charity CEO? Beware your own shadow!
Even though our individual situation is our situation and there is no ‘one size…
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Andrew Middleton
Oct 29, 2021, 1:00 PM
80% of charities are neglecting governance. Are you one of them?
Good Governance is not just a tick box exercise, it’s a way to show that you are…
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Frank Bennett
Oct 25, 2021, 9:00 AM
The key to good governance in times of change
The past two years of disruption have caused much reflection on the way things…
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Andrew Rainsford
Oct 20, 2021, 11:00 AM
Great minds and all that – How to create a shared vision for your charity
The relationship between the Chair and the CEO is crucial. Equally crucial is…
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Tracy Madgwick
Sep 29, 2021, 9:00 AM
Attracting top talent to your organisation – why employer brand matters even more than ever
Due to the impact of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, today’s job market is…
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Hal Davidson
Sep 8, 2021, 1:00 PM
Recruiting volunteers for charities – How to make sure it works for everybody?
Whenever you’re considering recruiting a volunteer or multiple volunteers, it’s…
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Shalini Jain
Aug 16, 2021, 9:30 AM
Charity marketing: two tools to help maximise your appeal
Before the word “pandemic” was a part of everyday conversation, you might have…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Aug 13, 2021, 10:00 AM
7 Good Reasons for Hiring a Copywriter
How many times have you told yourself you’d write that piece of copy to…
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Linda Trew
Jul 29, 2021, 1:00 PM
The Christian recruitment challenge
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? – wanting the very best people for our…
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Shalini Jain
Jul 28, 2021, 1:00 PM
The art and science of fundraising
Fundraising for a project is both an art and a science – an articulation of the…
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Sean Tully
Jul 28, 2021, 1:00 PM
Trusts Fundraising Strategy – learning from the funders
Early in 2021, Action Planning helped a national charity to rethink its grants…
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Kathryn Kendall
Jul 13, 2021, 4:00 PM
Five reasons why your grant application was unsuccessful
Kathryn Kendall explores five reasons why your grant application for your…
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Linda Trew
Jun 30, 2021, 1:00 PM
Can you really pray in the money?
We can often find ourselves in tricky positions within the workplace, whether…
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Ned Wells
Jun 21, 2021, 2:00 PM
How to select the right web development partner for your charity
This article offers a process to help you select a development partner that’s…
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Kathryn Kendall
Jun 15, 2021, 1:00 PM
Safeguarding in digital delivery
Before the word “pandemic” was a part of everyday conversation, you might have…
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Karen Morton
Jun 9, 2021, 9:00 AM
Virtual away days – making best use of digital tech in the hybrid workplace
I work as a facilitator (amongst other things). When we were first locked down,…
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Linda Trew
Jun 1, 2021, 12:00 PM
Faithful fundraising
Fundraising can feel alien in a Christian environment. It feels a lot easier to…
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Susie Mullen
May 26, 2021, 1:00 PM
The future of work in a post-COVID world – what the research tells us
Those in the business of spotting trends are predicting a summer of fun in 2021.…
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Tracy Madgwick
May 24, 2021, 1:00 PM
Welcoming furloughed employees back into the workplace
Eighteen months is a significant period of time to be away from the workplace –…
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Lucinda Shaw
May 11, 2021, 4:00 PM
What is coaching? And how can it help your charity work?
The term ‘coaching’ is used a lot, often incorrectly when people mean mentoring,…
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Eleanor Mitchell
Apr 26, 2021, 1:00 PM
Is it possible to innovate within a standard charity model?
To innovate is to make changes within an established structure by introducing…
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Andrew Humphreys
Apr 16, 2021, 1:00 PM
How a logic model can help you develop your strategy
Setting organisational strategy is often complex and can seem like an…
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Vanessa Swann
Apr 16, 2021, 1:00 PM
Too busy to look at the big picture?
Unsurprisingly at the moment, many charities are finding it hard to devote time…
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Maurice Adams
Apr 7, 2021, 10:00 AM
The crucial role of leadership in the capacity development process
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Maurice Adams
Apr 6, 2021, 1:00 PM
Capacity Development: what it really means and how to make if effective
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Maurice Adams
Apr 6, 2021, 1:00 PM
The value of faith-based organisations
A common narrative is that our society is becoming less religious. Fewer people…
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Amy Shepherd
Mar 24, 2021, 1:00 PM
5 ways to build resilience as your people return to the office
Over the past year I’ve noticed that charities are starting to see the real…
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Mat Eason
Mar 22, 2021, 9:30 AM
Solidarity – building employee resilience
The difference between just coping and thriving is determined by how healthy our…
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Mar 17, 2021, 2:30 PM
Don’t rush head first into the future
The impact of the pandemic on your staff may be yet to kick in. Prepare now for…
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Mark Billage
Mar 15, 2021, 4:30 PM
Realistic Optimism
How do we act as leaders so that we keep our heads up and maintain our…
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Mike Taylor
Feb 24, 2021, 4:30 PM
Changes to the Charity Governance Code: Diversity
“We need to continue the journey from seeing diversity as a ‘hygiene factor’ to…
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Andrew Rainsford
Feb 24, 2021, 4:00 PM
The future of the office and workspace
There is increasing recognition that the social interaction of the workplace is…
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Andrew Barton
Jan 27, 2021, 1:00 PM
Response, recovery and reconstruction: 8 insights on adaptive fundraising during coronavirus
Andrew Barton is used to thinking about the three phases of humanitarian…
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Andrew Barton
Jan 27, 2021, 12:00 PM
Fundraising resolutions: coronavirus and beyond
Andrew Barton's six actionable fundraising resolutions that could pay dividends…
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David Saint
Dec 16, 2020, 10:43 AM
The post of Christmas past
This year, as families and friends are forced to rethink Christmas, I’m pleased…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Nov 25, 2020, 3:42 PM
Action Planning’s Three Minute Survey for Charity CEOs
See the results here for Action Planning’s Three Minute Survey for Charity CEOs
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Karen Morton
Oct 29, 2020, 11:09 AM
Karen Morton – Future Gazing
"Karen Morton – Future Gazing" Seminar Video from Action Planning's 30th…
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Carol Akiwumi
Oct 29, 2020, 11:08 AM
Carol Akiwumi – Challenge Your Most Cherished Fundraising Ideas
"Carol Akiwumi– Challenge Your Most Cherished Fundraising Ideas" Seminar Video…
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Nick Wilkie
Oct 29, 2020, 11:07 AM
Nick Wilkie – This Much I Think: Musings on Organisational Leadership and Life
"Nick Wilkie – This Much I Think: Musings on Organisational Leadership and Life"…
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Tracy Madgwick
Oct 29, 2020, 11:06 AM
Tracy Madgwick –Finding and Keeping Talent Remotely
"Tracy Madgwick –Finding and Keeping Talent Remotely" Seminar Video from Action…
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Linda Turton
Oct 29, 2020, 11:05 AM
Linda Turton – Making Your Finance Funder Friendly
"Linda Turton – Making Your Finance Funder Friendly" Seminar Video from Action…
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David Bull
Oct 29, 2020, 11:04 AM
David Bull CBE – Top 5 Questions Trustees Should Ask Staff
"David Bull CBE – Top 5 Questions Trustees Should Ask Staff" Seminar Video from…
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Emma Insley
Oct 29, 2020, 11:03 AM
Emma Insley – Impact Accelerating Your Fundraising
"Emma Insley – Impact Accelerating Your Fundraising" Seminar Video from Action…
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Kate Nicholas
Oct 29, 2020, 11:02 AM
Kate Nicholas – Communicating for Recovery
"Kate Nicholas – Communicating for Recovery" Seminar Video from Action…
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Andrew Johnson
Oct 29, 2020, 11:01 AM
Andrew Johnson – Using Campaigns to Drive Engagement
"Andrew Johnson – Using Campaigns to Drive Engagement" Seminar Video from Action…
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Felicia Willow
Oct 29, 2020, 11:00 AM
Felicia Willow – Managing Crisis Using an Interim CEO's Approach
"Felicia Willow – Managing Crisis Using an Interim CEO's Approach" Seminar Video…
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Anja Batista Sonksen
Oct 28, 2020, 2:26 PM
Cancel the Christmas Party?! No Way!
At the end of what has been a tough year for most charities and an existential…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Oct 21, 2020, 5:00 PM
Action Planning celebrates Pearl Anniversary with 10 seminars in 60 minutes
On Tuesday 20th October, 2020, we celebrated 30 years of service to the third…
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Felicia Willow
Aug 28, 2020, 2:26 PM
Managing remotely with a team you’ve never met in an interim role
Felicia Willow is an experienced interim CEO but the lockdown has thrown up…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Aug 27, 2020, 3:21 PM
Capital appeals – an online catalyst
Churches looking to rekindle a capital appeal project in the wake of lockdown…
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Andrew Rainsford
Jul 30, 2020, 12:00 PM
10 Top Tips for remaining professional and sane in the post-COVID remote working world
With polls showing a general reluctance among UK workers to return to their old…
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Andrew Rainsford
Jun 30, 2020, 1:00 PM
10 tips for a successful review of giving?
The lockdown and absence from buildings will have hit some churches harder than…
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Andrew Barton
May 27, 2020, 3:00 PM
Fundraising Strategy during the twists and turns of the Coronavirus crisis – and beyond
There are many principles from the INGO world that can be helpful as you respond…
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David Green
May 27, 2020, 3:00 PM
Motivating your remote team
“Remember that not everyone is the same and that some team members may find…
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Lucinda Shaw
May 27, 2020, 10:30 AM
Creating the space to open up – why it’s important to really ask
I’ve been reflecting a lot on all that’s hidden at the moment, when we’re…
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Michelle Lawrence
May 26, 2020, 10:00 AM
The Times They Are a-Changing, but will they change us?
The idea of the ‘impetus’ has been the elusive challenge that I have been…
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Sean Tully
May 26, 2020, 10:00 AM
Church development project? Why it pays to call for help at the start.
Action Planning recently had the privilege of working with three churches across…
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Ruth Dwight
May 7, 2020, 9:30 AM
You're on mute, John...
I have picked up a few practical points from facilitating some Zoom-based…
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Amy Shepherd
Apr 21, 2020, 11:00 AM
How are you feeling today? The choice is yours
I’d like to talk to you today about dealing with uncertainty and ambiguity in…
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Ian O'Reilly
Apr 20, 2020, 11:00 AM
Impact of supporter experience on fundraising
Part 2: Why we should be focusing on supporter experience more than ever.
In the…
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Kate Nicholas
Apr 15, 2020, 10:15 AM
Communicating in a crisis: remember your ABCs
As a not for profit leader you probably feel under siege at the moment. Covid-19…
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David Kirby
Apr 15, 2020, 10:00 AM
Releasing funds in an emergency: what are your options?
I imagine one of the challenges which you might be facing at this time is…
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Mark Goldring
Apr 8, 2020, 1:00 PM
Worried about long-term finances? Three actions you need to take
As we face up to the initial challenges – programme, people, financial – of the…
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Apr 6, 2020, 11:30 AM
Stay connected with your team – 3 simple tips
I’d like to talk to you about the importance of connection. So, now we’re all…
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Mark Goldring
Apr 2, 2020, 11:00 AM
Leading through crisis: look at it through three lenses
Having led a number of large charities, most relevantly Oxfam, in responding to…
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David Saint
Mar 31, 2020, 3:00 PM
Coronavirus - How can Boards best support their charities through this crisis?
Every charity situation is different; every individual responds to crisis in…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Mar 27, 2020, 10:00 AM
London Funders set up Covid-19 fund
A new fund coordinated by London Funders has been set up to support London’s…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Mar 27, 2020, 10:00 AM
Calor puts up £85,000 for rural community projects
To celebrate its 85th birthday, gas company Calor has increased the value of its…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Mar 27, 2020, 10:00 AM
Arts Council England funding for organisations and individuals
Arts Council England has set up a fund worth £160million to ensure the people…
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David Bull
Mar 25, 2020, 10:00 AM
Leadership in the time of corona – 5 things to think about
As a charity CEO for 32 years, I have been through crises before. Here are five…
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Claire Cardy
Mar 25, 2020, 10:00 AM
Feeling helpless? Time to dig into those creative reserves
I have just passed the one year anniversary of leaving a permanent role to…
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Mark Goldring
Mar 24, 2020, 10:05 AM
Leading in a crisis: some lessons from personal experience
We might never have seen anything like this; I’ve certainly never lived through…
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Andrew Middleton
Mar 3, 2020, 4:00 PM
How can virtual meetings help your charity remain effective?
We live in very challenging times. Right now, coronavirus is forcing individuals…
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Ian O'Reilly
Feb 25, 2020, 10:00 AM
Impact of supporter experience on fundraising
What is supporter experience and why is it so important? Action Planning…
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Ruth Dwight
Feb 20, 2020, 10:00 AM
Growing a sales mindset in a not-for-profit organisation
Is your organisation looking for new funding streams but knocking up against a…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Feb 14, 2020, 12:00 PM
London Marathon fund for physical activity
Can you believe the London Marathon has been running for 40 years? Over that…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Feb 14, 2020, 10:15 AM
Funding up to £250,000 for museums and galleries
The Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund is offering grants worth up to £250,000 to…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jan 31, 2020, 12:08 PM
Ouseley Trust grants for choral music
If you’re a parish church, choir school, choral foundation or cathedral that…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jan 24, 2020, 2:00 PM
£50k Aviva grants for small charity community projects
Charities with a turnover of under £1m are invited to apply for funding from the…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jan 24, 2020, 10:00 AM
Co-op funding for youth peer-to-peer support
Co-op Foundation, the charity arm of the grocery chain, is partnering with the…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jan 10, 2020, 10:37 AM
Heritage grants for historic buildings
Transforming Places Through Heritage is a £15million grant programme from the…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Dec 20, 2019, 10:37 AM
NCT funding for church building projects
The National Churches Trust has three grant programmes currently inviting…
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Sean Tully
Dec 20, 2019, 9:00 AM
Big Society depending on church social action – but where will the money come from?
This past decade of austerity and cuts in publicly funded services has seen…
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Tracy Madgwick
Dec 19, 2019, 9:43 AM
It's all about the people! – How can you nurture your human resources in 2020?
Looking back over 2019 as an HR consultant working with a range of different…
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Andrew Johnson
Dec 18, 2019, 1:00 PM
Has insight helped your decision-making this year?
Over the past year I’ve noticed that charities are starting to see the real…
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Andrew Middleton
Dec 17, 2019, 9:00 AM
Review is the word – how did your Governance look in 2019?
One of the great things about being an Action Planning consultant is that I get…
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Dec 16, 2019, 10:18 AM
An exciting time but still big challenges ahead – so how was your fundraising year?
2019 has been a really exciting year for fundraising. Despite the challenges…
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David Saint
Dec 16, 2019, 10:18 AM
What chance of 2020 vision in 2020? And then what?
I like to think I was perhaps one of the first people to harness ‘2020 Vision’…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Dec 13, 2019, 11:32 AM
Grants of up to £30,000 for war memorial conservation
The War Memorials Trust is offering grants of up to £30,000 towards the…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Dec 6, 2019, 10:06 AM
Veolia grants for environmental projects
Not-for-profit organisations in England raising funds for environmental or…
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Tracy Madgwick
Nov 29, 2019, 3:42 PM
How to overcome the recruitment challenge for faith-based organisations
Good directors are hard to find in any circumstances, but for a Christian…
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Andrew Middleton
Nov 29, 2019, 2:26 PM
Reflections on Conference Season
November saw Action Planning set up its stand at both the NVCO Trustees…
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Nov 20, 2019, 9:14 AM
Week 4 - Re-energise: Sometimes we all need to switch off and start again
In the last of her four-part series on overcoming the cultural barriers to…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Nov 15, 2019, 12:00 PM
New vision fund for London’s blind
The Vision Foundation has launched a new fund to address the most pressing…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Nov 15, 2019, 11:40 AM
Toyota funding for disabled sport and activities
Organisations running clubs, activities or events for disabled people can apply…
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Nov 13, 2019, 9:20 AM
Week 3 - Grow: Give your team the confidence to tap into their talents
In the third of four articles on overcoming the cultural barriers to…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Nov 8, 2019, 12:40 PM
Match funding for reviving green spaces
Community groups working to develop public green spaces in their local area are…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Nov 8, 2019, 12:25 PM
New funds for cultural protection in Libya, Syria and Yemen
New grants worth up to £100,000 are being made available to organisations…
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Nov 6, 2019, 12:28 PM
Week 2 - Reconnect: Overcoming cultural barriers to fundraising
In the second of four articles on overcoming the cultural barriers to…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Nov 1, 2019, 10:06 AM
Grants of £50,000 available for church conservation projects
The National Churches Trust (NCT) Cornerstone Grants programme provides grants…
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Oct 30, 2019, 12:28 PM
Week 1 - Reboot: Overcoming cultural barriers to fundraising
In the first of four articles on overcoming the cultural barriers to…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Oct 25, 2019, 9:28 AM
Windrush Day grants of up to £25,000
The Government has set up a Windrush Day Grant Scheme, with a fund worth…
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Felicia Willow
Oct 22, 2019, 9:28 AM
Is it worth investing in an interim CEO?
Interim CEO posts can be a high-impact and effective use of resources for…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Oct 18, 2019, 3:00 PM
£5.75m tech fund to tackle unemployment
A new fund has been launched to support charities that are helping to reskill…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Oct 18, 2019, 2:00 PM
£2m fund for organisations tackling loneliness
One year after the publication of the Government’s landmark Loneliness Strategy,…
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Sean Tully
Oct 10, 2019, 4:17 PM
Reflections from a church capital appeals workshop
Saturday 5th October saw Action Planning deliver the second of three workshops…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Oct 4, 2019, 12:17 PM
Match Funding for outer London community projects
The second round of funding from Trust for London and Crowdfunder’s Connected…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Oct 4, 2019, 12:05 PM
Children in Need Small Grants round open for spring 2020
Charities and not-for-profit organisations that work with disadvantaged…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Sep 27, 2019, 12:05 PM
£40,000 grants available for healthcare charities
Charities working to provide healthcare to disadvantaged adults and children in…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Sep 27, 2019, 11:44 AM
Join us at NCVO/Bates Wells Trustee Conference 2019
NCVO/Bates Wells Trustee Conference 2019 is taking place on Monday 4th November…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Sep 27, 2019, 11:38 AM
We’ve teamed up with Digi-Board™ to solve the governance review conundrum
Action Planning has developed an innovative and effective approach to governance…
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Andrew Rainsford
Sep 27, 2019, 9:48 AM
Places of worship VAT grants extended to 2021
The recent Spending Review contained news that the Listed Places of Worship…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Sep 20, 2019, 10:00 AM
£120,000 in new funding for road safety initiatives
Charities working towards the reduction of casualties on the road can join…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Sep 20, 2019, 9:30 AM
High value prizes for healthy ageing projects
The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) is running a competition for…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Sep 13, 2019, 9:30 AM
New funding for small international development charities
Small UK not-for-profit organisations working on international development…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Sep 13, 2019, 9:30 AM
Leeds community fund invites applications
Charities in the North of England can apply for a share of a £100,000 fund pot…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Sep 6, 2019, 9:30 AM
Applications for £3 million Dream Fund now open
Applications for the People’s Postcode Lottery Dream Fund opened this week.
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Aug 30, 2019, 9:30 AM
Government puts up £30m for 5G projects
The Government’s pledge to roll out 5G to the UK’s rural communities has been…
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David Saint
Aug 30, 2019, 9:30 AM
Christian distinctiveness: an aid to fundraising, or a hindrance?
Action Planning has worked with hundreds of Christian charities and churches…
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Ondine Upton
Aug 30, 2019, 9:30 AM
Whose eyes are we looking through? Top tips for developing organisational success with major donors
One of the most powerful game-changers for an organisation serious about major…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Aug 23, 2019, 9:30 AM
New round of community funding from Power to Change
A grant fund worth £60,000 has been made available to charities across the South…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Aug 16, 2019, 11:00 AM
New grant fund for community projects across the South
A grant fund worth £60,000 has been made available to charities across the South…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Aug 2, 2019, 9:29 AM
The Times 2019 Christmas Appeal opens for applications
Charities can now apply to be part of The Times’ 2019 Christmas Appeal. The…
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David Loxton
Jul 25, 2019, 8:00 AM
New Fundraising Code of Practice – Good news, and a helpful reminder
The Fundraising Regulator has released a new Code of Practice that takes effect…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jul 25, 2019, 8:00 AM
Climate change initiatives to receive £100m National Lottery funding
Organisations involved in tackling climate change will soon be able to apply for…
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Sean Tully
Jul 25, 2019, 8:00 AM
Church capital appeals - how to improve your chances
One of Action Planning’s regular training seminars, the event focussed on how…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jul 19, 2019, 9:30 AM
Extra time to apply for The Big Give Christmas Challenge
The UK’s biggest online match funding campaign, The Christmas Challenge from The…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jul 19, 2019, 8:00 AM
Connected Communities to match fund London projects
Local community projects in London are being offered the opportunity to apply…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jul 5, 2019, 8:00 AM
GSK IMPACT Awards supporting health and wellbeing charities in 2020
Nesta Challenges is inviting charities and social enterprises to bid for grants…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jun 27, 2019, 8:00 AM
Nesta Challenges puts up £1m to tackle social isolation through technology
Nesta Challenges is inviting charities and social enterprises to bid for grants…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jun 27, 2019, 8:00 AM
National Heritage fund to hand out £100m over three years
UK heritage organisations are being invited to apply for grants worth £5million…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jun 20, 2019, 8:00 AM
New funding available for community green energy projects
The Government’s Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) is inviting new community…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jun 20, 2019, 8:00 AM
Nationwide offers housing project grants in Northern Ireland
The Nationwide Building Society is awarding grants of between £10,000 and…
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David Bull
Jun 18, 2019, 8:00 AM
Leadership teams: you can’t do it all by yourself!
If you are a charity CEO, you know you can’t do it all by yourself. Which is why…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jun 18, 2019, 8:00 AM
Futures for Women: The Next Episode
Back in January we published a case study on our work with Futures For Women,…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jun 13, 2019, 8:00 AM
Discounted housing grant scheme unveiled
Getting together to give is not new. People have acted collectively to donate…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jun 13, 2019, 8:00 AM
Co-op Foundation invites funding applications from Welsh community groups
Community groups in Wales have two more weeks to apply for funding from the new…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jun 13, 2019, 8:00 AM
Government opens fund to reduce food waste
Organisations that help to cut food waste by redistributing surplus food to…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jun 13, 2019, 8:00 AM
Lloyds open last round of Enable grants
Lloyds Bank Foundation has announced its last round of Enable grants, offering…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Jun 13, 2019, 8:00 AM
£5 million fund launched for supporting unpaid carers
A new Carers Innovation Fund has been launched to help finance innovative ways…
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Rob John
May 24, 2019, 8:00 AM
Virtuous Circles: collective giving is a powerful way to develop better donors
Getting together to give is not new. People have acted collectively to donate…
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Layla Moosavi
May 24, 2019, 8:00 AM
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP: PREPARE TO SUCCEED
As fundraisers, we all know how difficult it is to get through the door of a…
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Eleanor Mitchell
Apr 16, 2019, 8:00 AM
Management: what, why, and how to do it
While management is often described as the coordination and organisation of…
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David Saint
Apr 16, 2019, 8:00 AM
Action Planning Consultants: introducing Mark Goldring
Action Planning has an extensive team of outstanding and highly-experienced…
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Sally Denbigh
Mar 14, 2019, 8:00 AM
Why would anyone be a charity trustee?!
The role carries a lot of responsibility, has legal and financial liabilities,…
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Tracy Madgwick
Feb 14, 2019, 8:00 AM
Managing Underperformance
Managing people’s performance is one of the key issues facing any charity. After…
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Karen Morton
Jan 17, 2019, 8:00 AM
Awaydays: Holding the Space
New Year is the perfect time to ‘health check’ not just ourselves, but our…
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David Kirby
Jan 17, 2019, 8:00 AM
Trading Subsidiaries: Using one, or think you should be?
Recent developments have affected the way in which payments from a trading…
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David Saint
Dec 13, 2018, 8:00 AM
You Can't Tickle Yourself!
Interviewed at the recent Christian Resources Exhibition, Chairman David Saint…
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Sally Denbigh
Dec 13, 2018, 8:00 AM
Charity at Christmas
Working in the voluntary sector, we spend most of our time thinking about and…
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Fiona Lewis
Nov 8, 2018, 8:00 AM
What Is A Content Strategy, And Do You Need One?
Online content is the most cost-effective way to reach large numbers of people.…
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David Bull
Nov 8, 2018, 8:00 AM
Protective Organisational Culture
In the wake of the recent crisis in the International Development sector…
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Felicia Willow
Oct 9, 2018, 8:00 AM
Employing Trustees: Navigating The Minefield
One of your charity Trustees (or ex-Trustees) may seem like the perfect…
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Sally Denbigh
Oct 9, 2018, 8:00 AM
Salaries and Benchmarking
Determining the appropriate salary for a job is not always easy, and also of…
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Oct 9, 2018, 8:00 AM
Are you a Charity That Helps Women Enter the Workplace?
Are you a charity that helps women enter the workplace? If so, you may wish to…
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Layla Moosavi
Sep 13, 2018, 8:00 AM
Marketing And Communications In Small Charities
Marketing and Communications in small charities has its own particular…
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Sally Denbigh
Aug 9, 2018, 8:00 AM
Finding and Recruiting the Hottest New Candidates
It’s August, it’s Summer and it’s too hot to be thinking about recruitment.…
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Aug 9, 2018, 8:00 AM
Building Meaningful Lifelong Relationships with Supporters
What does relationship fundraising look like in today’s world? And how should…
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Sally Denbigh
Jul 5, 2018, 10:41 AM
Legacy fundraising: don’t leave it to luck!
Legacies are an important source of funding, yet more than half of charitable…
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David Saint
Mar 21, 2018, 10:41 AM
Where are the Visionaries?
Charities pride themselves on making a difference, yet so often we seem to get…
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Lucinda Shaw
Mar 14, 2018, 10:41 AM
Focussing on People rather than Performance will get you to Excellence
Almost every organisation will say that its people are its greatest asset. And…
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David Saint
Mar 14, 2018, 10:41 AM
The answer’s Yes. What’s the question?
Action Planning gets asked to help with an extraordinarily diverse range of…
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Robin Hamilton
Feb 8, 2018, 10:41 AM
Learning lessons from Oxfam - To disclose or not to disclose? That is the question.
It is sad to see so many media outlets and commentators jumping on the…
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David Saint
Feb 8, 2018, 10:41 AM
How to diversify income
Any organisation that is dependent on one source for more than 30% of its income…
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David Saint
Feb 8, 2018, 10:41 AM
Procurement Obscurement?
Does your Procurement Department always get you the best deal? We share some…
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Felicia Willow
Feb 8, 2018, 10:41 AM
Five Indications of Failing Trustee Boards
Poor trustees – always being bashed these days! But these observations, from an…
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David Saint
Feb 8, 2018, 10:41 AM
Recruiting your first fundraiser
If your organisation is planning to employ a fundraiser for the first time, here…
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David Saint
Dec 5, 2017, 10:41 AM
Governance – what could possibly go wrong?
The Charity Commission recently reviewed their ‘problem cases’, and came up with…
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David Saint
Dec 5, 2017, 10:41 AM
How to recruit trustees
Perhaps we should start with ‘how not to recruit trustees’ – because frankly the…
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David Saint
Dec 5, 2017, 10:41 AM
Simple Governance Review – here’s one I prepared earlier!
Andrew Betts, Director of Advantage Africa was very quick off the mark, by…
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David Saint
Dec 5, 2017, 10:41 AM
How to Recruit a Chief Executive
We turn our attention to the recruitment of a Chief Executive. But surely…
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David Saint
Dec 5, 2017, 10:41 AM
'Preference Diversity' The Essential Team Ingredient
First, what is diversity? Diversity is ‘the fact of many different types of…
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David Saint
Dec 5, 2017, 10:41 AM
Downloadable policies – just papering over the cracks?
In our increasingly complex society, we now need an astonishing array of…
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David Saint
Dec 5, 2017, 10:41 AM
How to recruit a Fundraising Director
In recent issues we have considered the best approach for recruiting trustees,…
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Kate Nicholas
Oct 3, 2017, 9:41 AM
Managing Reputation - Inoculating Against Crisis
It was Warren Buffet who once said “It takes twenty years to build a reputation…
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David Saint
Oct 3, 2017, 9:41 AM
The £1.19m answer: Einstein’s Theory of Happiness
I was fascinated to read recently that Einstein’s ‘Theory of Happiness’ had been…
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Dave Tyler
Aug 30, 2017, 10:41 AM
Project management? Never heard of it…
I’ve been a professional project manager for over 20 years and freelance for…
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Ian O'Reilly
Aug 30, 2017, 10:41 AM
The Value of a Mentor
The most honest feedback I receive in life is after the final whistle is blown…
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Gavin
Aug 30, 2017, 10:41 AM
Challenge Events – An Antidote to GDPR - The Great Depression of People Raising (money)
Over the last few years I feel we have been in a ‘great depression’ within the…
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David Saint
Aug 30, 2017, 10:41 AM
CV Tips – From The Recruiter’s Perspective
Having recently read 79 applications for one role, and 6 for another, I have…
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Tim Glynne-Jones
Aug 30, 2017, 10:41 AM
Website woes? Here’s a solution
When it comes to publicising the work of your charity, a good website is…
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David Saint
Aug 30, 2017, 10:41 AM
When the problem is having too much money
This may seem an extraordinary topic to explore in a charity sector newsletter,…
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David Saint
Jul 12, 2017, 10:41 AM
How To Plan A Capital Appeal
For most organisations, major capital projects are not common occurrences – they…
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Felicia Willow
Jul 12, 2017, 10:41 AM
Trustee appraisals – have you got yours in place?
The Charity Governance Code recommends that the Boards of all charities – large…
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Felicia Willow
Jul 12, 2017, 10:41 AM
Charity crisis: Do you know what to do when something goes wrong?
All of us, obviously, want things to go smoothly at our charity; but what to do…
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David Saint
Jul 12, 2017, 10:41 AM
When is it the right time to do a capital appeal feasibility study?
An appeal for a major capital project is not an everyday occurrence for most…
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