Angharad Milenkovic

Charities and Government Excellent Research from Pro Bono Economics who have published a very useful free resource for charities https://lnkd.in/e_a8ybFN . This says "The 2024 General Election brought 335 new MPs into the House of Commons. For the many charities that seek to influence parliamentarians, this creates a significant challenge. That’s 335 new MPs to research and sift through to try and understand if they might be inclined to support a charity’s cause. "Many small charities cannot afford parliamentary monitoring systems or expensive agencies to do that sifting for them. If hundreds of organisations all undertake the same research into those MPs’ backgrounds, it means massive amounts of duplication and wasted time for already time-starved organisations. Also see https://lnkd.in/ebSvCG_Y which explains that "Experience in the charity sector has accelerated the most dramatically of all with this new Cabinet. #Starmer has appointed eight #Cabinet members who have previously worked within the charity sector. That is a quadrupling of charity experience at the top of government." CFG : Charity Finance Group Charity News Association of Charitable Foundations Association of Chairs The Resource Alliance Charity Excellence - a FREE one-stop-shop for everything a non-profit needs.

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𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 - 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 Top line findings from The Foundation Practice Report as shared in today's Third  Sector article. 🔍 Sample of 100 Foundations 📊 More are reporting diversity (18 this year v 11 last year) but the findings show the stark reality of how much more has to be done. 👭🏻  Indigo Trust reported 100% non male paid staff (I like their page on EDI by the way) 👩🏽  Esmeé Fairburn Foundation still leads the way with diversity of race (non white) at 23% 🙎🏿 Friends Provident Foundation scores well on gender (non male) at 71% 👨🏽‍🦯 Only 4 Foundations reported more than 17% of staff as disabled, this is the % given in the UK census. 8 reported fewer than 17% .  We know that some don't disclose disability for fear of career limiting bias - that's for another post though... So the question is how do we speed up this process? Because we all know that 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹, 𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀. ❓ 𝗦𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆? 𝗕𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻, 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 ), 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 / 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. I am Indian, female, partially sighted with 16 years in the NFP sector.... how would you attract me? Lets use me as a case study 🧐 ...A few years back I was approached to work for a charity in the diversity space. At the last interview I asked the question ' what are your plans to get ANY non white trustees on board given your core purpose'  It didn't go down well at all, I saw the temperature in the room drop to freezing 🥶. They felt that question was not appropriate 😲. I thought it was THE most appropriate question to ask! Obviously, I didn't pursue that role, as they were not ready to reach that tipping point needed to be at the forefront of living and breathing their core purpose. Much to do, not just in Foundations but across the whole sector. Welcome your comments.

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This is important! Please read. The parties need to start talking about education, education, education!

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About to develop a heritage project? Considering working with a consultant to secure NLHF funding? The last blog in our #CraigmyleNLHFweek series shares a client perspective and is well worth a read.

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Brilliant to join Antony Berry and Edgar Sutcliffe to discuss #SharingImpact of #Philanthropy within the #Education context at the The Institute of Development Professionals in Education (IDPE) conference 2024 - thank you for having me! A few key thoughts... 📏 Be confident in the impact you are striving for and how you are going to measure progress - this ensures you are prepared to report back down the line (and avoids the risk of overpromising). 🏗 Make good use of 'building blocks' like your Annual Impact Report - which you can share far and wide! - and your Accounts, which are often the first port of call for potential supporters (they don't have to be boring!). 🖊 Consider and tailor to your audience - how you can you reflect the data and stories that will specifically matter to them? 💙 Take the opportunity to say #ThankYou and #Inspire further collaboration.

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Great opportunity to make a difference on #ClimateAction in Scotland with this new role with SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) working with the brilliant Beth Mukushi on Growing Climate Confidence in Scotland's third sector. Climate Development Officer, 3 days/wk, blended working with a base in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness. Job purpose: - Promote and raise awareness: Using the Growing Climate Confidence brand to reach organisations to encourage action on the climate crisis and help them relate this to their organisational mission. - Support organisations to develop and implement net-zero action plans, signposting to specialist sources of support and funding opportunities. - Develop shared insights: Share the real time aggregate data generated through the net zero scorecard, along with other research, with the Funders’ Forum and net zero working group to inform wider funding and support decisions. #Vacancy #Scotland #Charities #ClimateChange https://lnkd.in/eWcAk6Z5

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"_we just need to join up the data_" - in over a decade of work to improve safety for people most likely to experience harm, I have so often heard this phrase. Sometimes after it's too late. But for so many structural reasons - sometimes good ones, sometimes less so - this is not as easy as it might sound. This proposal to link data of #children and #youngpeople presenting at A&E will be an important step in showing how to ethically join data in order to prevent further harm. If you are part of the #Qcommunity or know folks who are - please support this important work with your vote. The Q community @dougalhargreaves Chris Owen @CarolineGadd Rosanna Hardwick Katy Saunders #SupportCYP #MentalHealth #ChildrensHealth #EmergencyCare

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Key points from IVAR's new publication ‘Batten down the hatches’; 💡 Fierce competition for funds, especially between larger organisations and smaller grassroots groups. 💡 Charities are struggling to keep up with shifting funder priorities, feeling pressured to demonstrate innovation at the expense of proven long-term work. 💡 Grant application processes have become increasingly onerous and opaque, with lengthy applications, reporting requirements, and delays in decision-making. 💡 Charities are calling for more long-term and unrestricted funding to reduce the burden of constant applications and enable the delivery of well-evidenced, effective services. 💡 There's a need for more flexible and human practices in grant-making, including reduced reporting requirements, increased transparency in decision-making, and more feedback on unsuccessful applications.

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𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐏10? 📣 NEW EPISODE - THE GRANT PODCAST: #116 FP10 - Status on the next Framework Programme❗ The preparations for the framework programme – labelled FP10 - is slowly gaining speed. Governments and interest organisations are releasing their formal statements – positions papers - on in which direction they would like to see the next programme move. It is a big positioning game and all statements are received and read carefully by everybody who has a keen interest in what shape the next R&D funding scheme will take. Of course The Grant is at your service to give you all a status on what on earth is going on and to give an overview of the whole process. I invited one of the most informed into the virtual podcast studio to give us all an update. Thomas Brent, at the time of recording this episode Science Journalist at Science|Business, runs through the process of how a framework programme comes to life and where we stand at this moment. This should be highly interesting for many of you out there! ❗Key take-aways 👉 It is a long long process 👉 With a lot of stakeholders input to be taken into account 👉 And when everything is ready the overall EU budget negotiations can again change the setup 👉 Voices are pushing for ringfencing parts of the budget to avoid effects of political flip-flopping ❗ Direct link to episode:  https://lnkd.in/dRTiMHzZ ❗ Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast and check out The Grant universe: www.thegrant.eu/116 #FP10 #funding Marie Latour Kristjan Zemljic Auvertin (Bagdoniene) Sigita Filippo Gagliardi Rita Gil Mata, PhD. Georg Melzer-Venturi Agnes Zoller, PhD Yoram Bar-Zeev Svetlana Myagkova Daiana Huber Christina Achilleos Maria Daniela Angione Alessia Melasecche Germini Esen Kunt Dieter Brigitta Ewa Kocinska-Lange Ilaria Rudisi Merete Mikkelsen Jeanett Bolther Katarzyna Kowalska Coline Perrin Virág Zsár Prakriti Archambeau Isabel Burdallo, PhD Michael Browne Borana Taraj Nik Claesen Amy Murphy Florin Zubascu Sofia Fernandes EuroCenter DK NCP Wallonie National Contact Points (NCPs) Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, FECYT NCP Brussels your contact for Horizon Europe European Commission EU Science, Research and Innovation Evolution | Innovation Forward

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The UK's charitable trusts and foundations have a unique role to play in responding to the climate and nature crises. I'm looking forward to running a session exploring this with colleagues at the Association of Charitable Foundations Leaders Forum in September. To help me prepare, I'd welcome your thoughts on a couple of things: 💭 What do you think is the most important or distinctive contribution that trusts and foundations generally - not just environmentally-focused funders - can make in tackling the climate and nature crises? 🤝 What would be a good thing for UK leaders of trusts and foundations to *collaborate* on in relation to this unique role our organisations can play? Is there a problem could we try to solve together that would unlock our potential? Maybe a tool we could develop to enable more confident action? Ideas, experiences, comments all welcome!

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*** CALLING ALL SENIOR MARKETING LEADERS !!! *** please share in your network Opportunity to join The Children's Society Board of Trustees - and/or sign up for a new Marketing Advisory Group (bringing your expertise in Brand/Marketing/PR) We've embarked on a remarkably exciting journey to change the game for children in our country - preparing to launch the biggest campaign in our 140+year history as we set out to overturn the damaging decline in children's wellbeing. To achieve this mission, we've got some big marketing problems to solve - like, how we reposition public understanding of the challenges teenagers are facing in this decade; or how to inspire a new generation to join with The Children's Society to deliver our transformative mission. So we're searching for a senior marketing professional to join our Board of Trustees to support our governance of this mission; as well as introducing a new advisory group to work alongside both trustees and the staff team on our plans. We're particularly keen to hear from anyone with an in-depth understanding of one or more of the following: - Brand, marketing, social and consumer PR, content, and earned media - Integrated marketing, brand advertising, and response campaigns, particularly multi-year campaigns - Brand building and marketing strategy, whether with household or challenger brands - Technology, innovation and digital innovation within the above contexts - Agency / client relationships and optimising output from either side. If this sounds like you, or you'd like to find out more, click here: https://lnkd.in/emFFbtXJ AND IF YOU CAN SHARE THIS SEARCH WITH YOUR NETWORK, WE WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL! #marketing #brand #PR #leadership #trustee #governance #charity #youngpeople

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Some very interesting (and challenging) options here. Should there be a reference to building more homes too? Many tenants live in overcrowded homes and the lack of more affordable housing affects them as much as those on housing waiting lists.

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Eight years ago Lucy Kellaway and I founded Now Teach with what we feared was a mad plan to persuade experienced professionals to change career and become teachers. With a wonderful team and supporters, we were astonished and proud of how successful it became. Most of all we were - and remain - blown away by the brilliance of the 1000+ of Now Teachers who joined the profession - mainly in STEM and shortage subjects. As we all live longer, I firmly believe we need more such schemes of mutual benefit to older and younger generations. So it was with great sorrow that we learned recently that the government is not going to re-procure the contract to deliver our work. I am quite certain that the sector will lose far more than is gained in the savings they make. (Coverage in the Guardian/Observer Newspapers and The Sunday Times here https://lnkd.in/epqBr6SY (£) https://lnkd.in/e8_WTFAJ) The DfE are quite clear that the decision was not related to the quality of impact of our work - we've outperformed our targets - and they are keen to talk about how we can do more with/for career changers in the future and of course we'd love to do that, but the risk for a small charity like ours is that by that time we won't exist any more. We know that the ripples of Now Teach's championing of career change and teaching have spread beyond our own cohorts. Last year there was a 15% growth in the number of over-40s starting to train as teachers and this year so far it's up 50% - I believe we've been a significant part of this story. We're determined to do everything in our power to survive this period; since I started my career in education two decades ago I've never seen a time like this. Above all we need great teachers. We all know the system needs funding and I believe firmly it needs innovation and initiatives like Now Teach and so many others who have been placed at risk as the DfE scrabbles for funding. We're still recruiting for our NT cohort for 2024 and it's shaping up to be brilliant. We'll of course honour our commitment to all Now Teachers currently in the scheme and my GOODNESS I hope we find a way for a 2025 cohort. If you think you might be able to help, we'd be so grateful if you could get in touch. #NT2025

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“….inclusivity is vital in today's evolving workplace…” Thanks Anna Kate Phelan from Eintech for talking about ICB UK (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) in your latest PQ Magazine blog - “With 78% of ICB members being women, the flexibility that a career in bookkeeping offers is a significant factor. “Online and on-demand exams attract a diverse pool of students and members, including parents with caring responsibilities and individuals with neurodivergent conditions. This inclusivity is vital in today's evolving workplace, where balancing professional aspirations with personal commitments is often a challenge. “As technology drives every industry forward at an unprecedented rate, it is crucial that equity and inclusion develop in parallel. By embracing these values, the ICB ensures that everyone is brought along for the ride, fostering a diverse and dynamic profession. This forward-thinking approach not only benefits individual bookkeepers but also strengthens the entire industry - and the wider economy.” Sobi Hariharan C.ICB Graham Hambly

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In the new government, we have more Cabinet Members and MPs with experience of the voluntary sector than ever before – a great opportunity to ensure that charities are front and centre in political discussions and decisions. With the overwhelming majority of smaller charities still citing income as their main concern – unchanged in over a decade – what can we realistically expect the new government to do for the sector? It’s highly unlikely that there will be substantial financial support for charities, but we can ask for public and formal recognition of the vital role the sector plays in society. MPs and ministers can help to educate everyone on how modern charities work, on our close relationship with government in service delivery, and on how our funding is structured. Without charities, we’d all struggle to maintain and enjoy our daily lives, and we’d lose so much in terms of community and companionship. With a new government elected on the promise of change, let’s make sure that change happens for charities too. Every Minister should be for and speak up for charities – let’s hear it for and from the Labour government. Full article: https://lnkd.in/e3ZgwQZ4

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Please sign our petition calling to dump the draft RSHE guidance and to meaningfully consult young people on any changes. The proposed #RSHE Draft Guidance lacks evidence, has been developed without consultation with young people, and fails to meet the needs of modern young people. The draft guidance is full of bans and restrictions that let young people down and will leave them less safe. It means young people will learn about complex, sensitive topics on the internet amongst disinformation and harmful content, rather than in school delivered by trained professionals. Its ban on the teaching of gender identity is a new #section28 which will put vulnerable young people at risk. When #LGBTQ+ inequality persists, STI rates are skyrocketing, and young people seeing harmful online content at younger and younger ages, it's vital we #dumpthedraft. https://lnkd.in/eZyD_PqG

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We're having a webinar! I believe fundraising is one of the most important campaigning tools. Simply put, it is the place people "put their money where their mouth is". In this event we are going to look at the relationship between data, fundraising and advocacy, with some amazing charities and software providers. The goal is to empower people to raise more money and achieve their goals with practical tips that can have meaningful impact for their charities. Everyone is welcome, whether you're an iRaiser customer or not yet an iRaiser customer! #Fundraising #Charity #Webinar #RaiseMore #Digital

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We’re still hatching and closer to being ready to enjoy some time together. 8 local people joined in with an ABCD Discovery programme with Cormac Russell and on Friday we got together to have a natter about it, and decided we might like to keep gathering to share stories and practice Wigan ABCD Practice Network Asset Based Community Development is a way of working that starts with what’s strong rather than what’s wrong. And shifts from doing to and for communities, to creating conditions that enable communities to do what they do best for themselves. It doesn’t ignore what’s wrong but instead understands that if solutions to problems are truly going to be community led then we need to rekindle the practice of being in community with each other. It’s a powerful process that enables communities and those who work alongside to get themselves into right relationship with each other. So that communities can flourish in their natural functions without fear of displacement, replacement or harm. Conditions for deep collective muscle growing includes gift, skill and passion sharing, joy, laughter and feeling a sense of belonging. Mutuality, reciprocity and solidarity. Asset Based Community Development does that by: Discovering the assets, passions & gifts of a place Connecting them which can lead to Mobilisation This practice network invites people to come together who are: Practicing asset based community development And / Or interested in and curious about asset based community development You can be a neighbour or a strategic director, a cake maker or a car park attendant. Anyone and everyone is welcome in this space. At each gathering we will explore an idea, a principle or an ABCD practice / story We will practice art of hosting and small group ways and use powerful questions and appreciative inquiry to gather the collective wisdom that exists between us There’ll be plenty of space for possibility and doubt We’ll agree to talk about our opinions and not from them. We’ll hopefully let go of the idea of being wrong, so we won’t need to try to be right . These gatherings will be bi monthly for 90 minutes. People are welcome to arrive 30 mins before the start for a brew and a natter. Friday 28th June - 3-4.30 Monday 2nd September 4-5.30 - little people welcome Friday 8th November 1 - 2.30 Monday 13th January 9.30-11 The Wigan ABCD Practice Network is brought to you by Northern Heart and Soul and Grass Roots of Wigan

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The #KingsSpeech yesterday was chock full of #Bills and other 'measures' many of which will affect #Charities or the people they serve. We'll have to see how the parliamentary session shapes up to see which ones have the highest priority or are most developed, and stand the chance of becoming law first. In this piece I analyse what we know so far and how it affects #Charities - check it out at the Directory of Social Change website: https://lnkd.in/evcHMUK9

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