Carl Sunderland’s Post

I spoke recently with a disillusioned charity professional who had to leave an organisation they were hugely proud of and passionate about, because it was simply no longer financially sustainable for them to do so. Not only were they struggling, but so were their whānau. There is only so much we can sacrifice at the expense of our nearest and dearest. They were already working for way less than their previous role, doing more hours than they were paid for, wearing three hats ‘for the price of one’, and had a long list of unrealistic KPIs they were never going to achieve. Some of this they (rightly or wrongly) expected when moving into the charity sector. Life’s not all about money, right? Then the straw came. “You can do much more in less hours and for less money. We’re a charity after all.” said the Board. Everything they were doing, had achieved, their ideas, knowledge, and advice, were no longer listened to, let alone appreciated or valued. The camel’s back was broken, and they felt they had no choice but to resign. This tipping point had presented a huge personal dilemma – passion and purpose vs stability and sanity. With it came a great deal of guilt and self-questioning. “Am I letting people down? Am I being selfish? Will the community suffer?” I give a lot of time for free. Service is a big part of my value set. I am far from alone. Volunteers make up a vital component of our community DNA. The world could not function without them. They are truly our angels on earth. But I’m no Saint. Free doesn’t pay the bills. Nor does undervaluing anyone working in the charity sector. We have no union to represent us like those in education, health, or emergency services for example. But many charity workers are doing very similar jobs. As I said previously, no one is supposed to get rich in the charity world, but fair pay should be universal. To repeat from earlier this year - I’m sick of being labelled ‘not-for-profit’. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy that comes with detrimental side effects. ·        Charities must run on the sniff of an oily rag. ·        Charities can’t spend money on operational costs/marketing/fundraising….take your pick. ·        Charities must pay peanuts to employees. Hey, they should all do it for free!!! ·        Charities can’t have nice offices or anything else nice for that matter. Things need to change. People need to wake up. Aotearoa, hey the world, could not function without us. If we want to stop being undervalued and taken seriously, we need to take a mojo pill and start shouting it from the roof tops. I’d like to develop a strong, collective voice in the sector. A Charity Leadership Network to collaboratively better serve our people. Interested in bouncing some ideas around? Give me a call. #DrivingChange #FairPay #collaboration #FindYourVoice #CharityLeadershipNetwork #WakeUp #visionary #charityleadership #mentoring #marketing #reimagination 

Thinking about starting a charity? 🎗️ Registering your charity is a crucial step in gaining public trust, accessing funding opportunities, and benefiting from tax reliefs. Our latest blog post provides a comprehensive guide on how to get your charity officially registered. From defining your charitable mission to preparing essential documents and submitting your application to the Charity Commission, we've covered all the important steps. Ensuring your charity meets the public benefit requirement is key to a successful registration. At KG Accountants, we specialize in charity formation services, offering expert advice and support throughout the process. Whether you need help with document preparation or navigating the legal requirements, our team is here to streamline your journey. Ready to turn your charitable vision into reality? Read our guide and get started today. https://lnkd.in/eN9RFyqj #Charity #NonProfit #SocialImpact #Fundraising #Community #TaxRelief #CharityFormation

The Captain Tom Foundation has hit the headlines again So naturally, there's lots of chatter about the charity sector, running costs, as well as NHS charities (even though the £39m raised from his walk and given to NHS charities is completely separate to this and not the issue). A large part of my role at an NHS charity is educating people who aren't close to our cause saying things like why should we support you, we're taxpayers, the NHS shouldn't be fundraising, or even - you're a government owned charity (yes I've had that before and no, we're not). That education piece is trickier on a mass scale -and trickier still when people jump on a story like today's and unfairly link it to NHS charities. But I'm part of a great team that chips away at perceptions and challenges where necessary - through good governance we carefully manage our donations and work with wards and departments in the hospital to spend those donations, enhancing patient and family experience. The stories we share on social media and in our impact report highlight that. In some ways, that's easy enough to explain, and when we do build that trust, many people will go on to support their local hospital charity again and again. We're proud of that. But then there's the other issue, and the reason why I always feel anxious when another story breaks about the Captain Tom Foundation - it taints the sector overall and creates lasting damage to public perceptions. Many charities, as well as founder-led charities I know, are are doing exceptional work. They are managed well, alongside being run by people who are truly passionate about what they do. So it seems to me grossly unfair that all charities are then tarnished by the same brush, particularly in the media and social media. Charities that have spent time building trust with their supporters and the public. I think there is a lot we can learn from this story, especially about making sure charities invest in governance, financial management and good staff - you know, those pesky running costs people resent funding. The charity sector isn't perfect, the Captain Tom story proves that, but there's so much happening within the sector that is positive and is making lasting change to people's lives -and it needs the public to help sustain that. So my ask to you is please, don't let this stop you working with a charity, or make a donation to a cause. In fact - I think at this point your support is needed more than ever. #NHSCharity #CaptainTom #Charity

📝 How do Australians view the leadership of the charity sector? Charities have a crucial role in our society, but how does the public perceive their integrity, contribution, and competence? The Australian Leadership Index reveals that charities are among the most trusted institutions, outshining even government bodies. 🌟 Discover what drives public trust in charities and how the sector can continue to lead for the greater good. 👇 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gcsKmgdp #CharityLeadership #Governance #PublicTrust #NotForProfit #BetterBoards

Are you considering starting a charity in the UK? Our latest blog post, "The Ultimate Guide to Charity Formation in the United Kingdom," is a must-read! 🏛️ This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about setting up a charity, from legal requirements to practical tips for success. Whether you’re a first-time founder or looking to refresh your knowledge, this resource will help you navigate the charity formation process with confidence. Don’t miss out on essential insights to help you make a positive impact in your community. Read the full guide here: https://buff.ly/3Yh0gh8 #CharityFormation #UKCharities #NonProfit #SocialImpact #CommunityEngagement

Someone asked us the other week about when setting up as a social enterprise in the UK whether they should establish it as a Charity or a Community Interest Company (CIC). Each structure has its own benefits and drawbacks, making it essential to understand which aligns best with your mission and social impact goals. But it can be complex. So to make life easy, we did a blog with an outline of the pros and cons of both structures. https://lnkd.in/e_k9msuD #CIC #Charity

Trust and integrity are critical to ensuring charities can continue to do the vital work they are specifically here to do. It’s reassuring to hear from a recent NCVO survey that charities are trusted within our communities at the same level as GPs. However, as Gary Nunn highlights in this powerful Guardian article, there have also been instances where this trust has been eroded, tarnishing the reputation of the charity sector. The article goes beyond those missteps to emphasise a key point: investment in back-office support and infrastructure is vital to ensure charities maximise their resources and deliver the greatest impact for the causes they serve. These systems are not a luxury—they are the backbone of every successful charity. As the founder of a small charity supporting families in the community for over 14 years, I’ve seen firsthand how critical this is. I’ve learned, sometimes through failure, that the coalface of frontline services depends on a continuous pipeline of support. Without proper infrastructure, the incredible work we do simply wouldn’t happen. This Christmas, I kindly ask businesses and individuals who are in a position to support a charity to take a little time to look deeper. Check the difference the charity is making and ensure they are doing what they say they’re doing. Look out for: ✔Annual reports and accounts ✔Case studies ✔Testimonials ✔Open-invitation events where you can ask questions and hear firsthand from the people supported ✔Evidence of the impact the charity is having on its cause including social media There are thousands of incredible charities doing life-changing work, all in need of support. Please do your homework before committing your time, money, or resources. As #GaryNunn puts it: “It’s these very staff members and their attendant costs that allow charities to perform their roles with due diligence and professionalism, ensuring that donations are spent well in the field.” Let’s keep trust and integrity at the heart of how we give back this festive season 🎅 #Charity #Trust #NonprofitLeadership #IntegrityInAction #CharityTransparency #GivingBack #MakeADifference #SupportLocalCharities #ChristmasGiving #ImpactMatters #SocialGood #BackOfficeHeroes #TrustInCharity #PhilanthropyDoneRight #local #community #home #enrichment #extramile #support

This morning’s news about the Charity Commission’s report on the Captain Tom fundraising really has me thinking. It’s a sad and depressing conclusion to something that started with a wonderful impulse: “Something bad is happening and I can do something good about it”. You might be a grieving parent, wanting to set up a fund in memory of your child’s tragic death. You might be facing life with a health condition or a disability that is not well funded. You may have visited a place, and seen things happening to people there that jarred or upset you. You may come from a community which faces discrimination or disadvantage. Very often the “thing” you can do is raise money for that cause. All these reasons – and more – are the kinds of reasons why so many caring, motivated, committed people set up charities. It’s the fundamental reason we have a thriving, effective and important charitable sector in the country that we should all feel pride in. But when there is news like today’s, the public’s trust in the charitable sector can be seriously harmed. We’re not a perfect sector, but I will say it again – we are thriving, effective and important. So what could change to prevent problems like this occurring again? I’m not going to comment on the individuals, but there is a simple solution - available to anyone around the UK - to ensure that if that moment occurs in your life, your fundraised money can be well looked after, carefully invested and used to benefit the people it should - and follow all the rules required. The people who set up charitable organisations are mainly just “average Joe’s”, they come from all sorts of backgrounds, but often NOT a background in the charitable sector. Why then, at the start of their journey, would they know that there are several regulatory/statutory bodies (Charity Commission; ICO; Companies House; HMRC; Fundraising Regulator…have I forgotten any?) with rules to adhere to? You need: Trustees or Directors and often staff or volunteers; to process data; claim gift aid; a bank account…etc. There is a LOT to go through to set up and run a charity. But there is an excellent alternative and one which I wish more people knew about. That’s us – Community Foundations! You don’t need to have ANY regulatory knowledge to set up a Fund with a Community Foundation - that’s what we have, and that’s what we can offer. It is so simple and easy – no worrying about Trustees, accounts,  reporting, staffing etc. We will look after the money you raise or donate, and ensure that it reaches the people in your local community who need it most, reflecting your passion. We are something of a failsafe - and we’re here forever. There’s a lot more to say about it, but: yes please to all that passion and commitment, but use your skills and experience where they are best placed – and come to us for the rest. 

🌟🇦🇺 Explore how Australians view charity sector leadership! With high integrity and impact, charities are seen as stewards of the common good. Discover key insights and opportunities for growth in public trust. #CharityLeadership #AustralianCharities https://lnkd.in/gcsKmgdp

In the 10th edition of the Australian Charities Report, released today by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, the Commissioner reminds readers in her Foreword: "The differences between the smallest and largest charities could not be starker. When we talk about charities, set obligations or when policy is made, we must be mindful of the difference in resources and capacity. We don’t set policy, but we can highlight that most of the sector operates on low revenue with no paid staff." https://lnkd.in/gTrGicPj The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (ACPNS) #charities #nonprofits #philanthropy #donations