Chris Bird’s Post

The Charity Commission for England and Wales has published its Diversity and Inclusion ambitions and action plan for 2024 – 2027 ⬇ It sets out the Charity Commission’s objectives to: • understand and draw people from the communities it serves by drawing from a range of backgrounds, experiences and locations • be accessible to everyone by engaging the sector and public it serves • be flexible by supporting innovation, performance and engagement • welcome talent from wherever it comes to attract the best talent from all backgrounds It recognises that ‘in the wider charity sector, trustee boards with the right mix of skills, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives are well placed to anticipate and manage risks, seize new opportunities, future-proof their organisations and tackle difficult but necessary decisions.’ Well worth reading not just to find out what the Charity Commission is doing on this front, but as an example of how to ensure #equity, #diversity and #inclusion become part and parcel of organisational culture and strategic objectives. https://lnkd.in/emng5wez

NGOs ARE NOT A SIMPLE MATTER! Recently, our Director Carolin Gomulia was featured on Hashtag Nonprofit NPC. We were so touched by the gems of wisdom she dropped. Here is a snippet below: Out favourite quote: “I wish people better understood the complexity of running an NGO. Many have a simplistic view, but managing an NGO can be more complex than running a company, especially in areas like financial management due to grant reporting requirements. I also wish there was a better understanding of the necessity of overheads. The charity mindset that all money should go directly to beneficiaries overlooks the operational needs of effective organisations”. Working with nonprofits is deeply rewarding due to the diversity of approaches and the passion of individuals committed to solving societal issues. Challenges include resistance to change and limited funding, especially affecting smaller organizations. To overcome these, The Workroom focuses on strategic planning, capacity building, and fostering collaboration. Looking ahead, funding constraints may push nonprofits to innovate or close, emphasizing the need for adaptability. Understanding the complexity of NGO management and ensuring self-care are crucial for sustaining effectiveness and avoiding burnout. Well done, Carolin Gomulia! #NonprofitImpact #NonprofitLeadership #SocialChange #CapacityBuilding #FundraisingTips #NGOManagement #CharityWork #Philanthropy #SustainableDevelopment #ChangeMakers #NonprofitSuccess #ImpactDriven #SocialInnovation #NonprofitStrategy #EmpowerNonprofits Here is a summary of the gems she dropped, and we think you ought to read more here:

A recent poll by Imagine Canada, supported by BMO and conducted with Abacus Data reveals that Canadians hold strong expectations for corporate social responsibility. The survey indicates that 87% of Canadians believe businesses should support their local communities and 80% advocate for commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Additionally, 79% think businesses should donate to charities and nonprofits, while 78% favor partnerships with community organizations. These findings highlight the importance for companies to integrate social responsibility into their core operations, helping to build trust and strengthen their reputation. For the complete poll results, see the article below. #corporatesocialresponsibility #edi #sustainability #communityimpact #environment #equityandinclusion #charity #nonprofits #socialgood #canadianbusiness #equity #diversity #inclusion #communityengagement #responsibleleadership #socialimpact #corporategiving #businessforgood #inclusivegrowth #sustainablefuture #charitablepartnerships #businessethics

Our Missing Experts report echoes the same ongoing issues and troubling reality that working-class people are missing and majorly underrepresented in charities and think tanks. Our report found that a staggering “94% of working-class people think there is a class diversity problem in charities” and “59% don’t talk about their background at work” The report also found that “Gaps in working-class representation tend to be concentrated in policy, research, communications, fundraising functions, and in senior management and board. It is more likely that a charity’s influencing work will be detached from the reality of issues the organisation works on.” Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/eqDCRPbV If you are an organisation that wants to support your working-class staff and create a diverse and class inclusive environment at work, we can help to support you! Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eC8u3u2y #RECLAIM #WorkingClass #ClassEquality #Manchester

PRESS RELEASE City Bridge Foundation, well-known for its care of five iconic bridges over the River Thames and for being London's biggest independent charity funder, have made a commitment to transform young lives. In a significant gesture of support, the Foundation has given a generous grant of £614,500 to XLP, a youth work charity dedicated to working with young people who come from under-served communities. This substantial gift will breathe new life into XLP’s visionary Mobile Youth Centre Project, an initiative housed within three specially designed double-decker buses. These buses go to different estate communities where this is little or no youth provision, and where there are high levels of anti-social behaviour and gang violence, to make sure as many young people get the help they need. This is especially important for young people who might be facing challenging times. Giles Shilson, City Bridge Foundation Chairman, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to support XLP on this project, which takes an innovative approach to getting out into communities and providing support for young people where it’s needed most. “The Mobile Youth Centre is having a positive impact on thousands of young people, helping to boost their self-esteem, skills and relationships, and steering them away from being drawn into gangs or anti-social behaviour.” City Bridge Foundation are not just giving away money, they’re fuelling a movement that will empower thousands of young people. It will help them stay away from getting involved in crime and give them hope for a brighter future. Danielle Widger, Head of Youth Work at XLP, said, “The bus [Mobile Youth Centre] serves the most under-served young people. No one is finding them, which is why they’re at risk of criminal exploitation. But we have a bus that can go and find them, and we can’t do that without this grant. We’re working together to help young people succeed.” The Mobile Youth Centre Project is all about bringing young people in their communities together. It will reach out to communities, help them stay strong, and show young people that they have loads of potential. #PressRelease #YouthWork #London

Good morning everyone! What makes you tick? What puts fire in your belly each day? Is it personal health, wealth or both? Or is it your desire to change something you feel needs changing for and with others The below statistic is what makes me tick and my desire to help change it 'The 2015 English index of Deprivation ranks Blackpool as the most deprived of 326 Local Authority areas in England' There is a lot of investment going into my town 'Blackpool' Uplifting areas and from the looks of it making the town more aesthetically pleasing and attracting investment These are exciting times which I am 100% behind I am in no way knocking this but I do wonder if the trickle down will happen to the initiatives most in need I am in particular thinking of our young people as this ties into my role at Young Lives Blackpool Investment in our youth in areas such as mental health and wellbeing for example could massively change their future prospects I frequently speak to young people who quite simply don't like where they live This should never be the case in a town like Blackpool Providing more opportunities for them to thrive should be the focus There are wonderful organization's, charities, schools and colleges chipping away at this right now Taking the problems Blackpool's youth face head on We will very soon be recruiting for members for our young peoples participation group We will put the power of decision making in their hands So they can drive the changes that they want to see In the areas that most need it I hope you will all be 100% behind us #support #charity #Blackpool #investment #youth

We are super excited by the news today that the Queensland Government has announced funding for eight new #YouthFoyers across the state. The first three of the new Youth Foyers will be delivered in Cairns, Hervey Bay and the Moreton Bay region, with a further five sites across the State.    Collectively, the new Youth Foyers will create up to 320 new homes and support almost 3,000 young people over the next 10 years to be empowered with opportunities that set them up for life.   This very welcome announcement by Premier Steven Miles and Minister Meaghan Scanlon MP comes after 18 months’ of advocacy by the Queensland Foyer Invest Working Group, a Queensland-wide collaboration initiated by Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland with the The Foyer Foundation, that brought together leading youth services, community housing providers, impact investors and the young people who live in Foyers.    Congrats to the members of the Queensland Foyer Invest Working Group – Mission Australia, Wesley Mission Queensland, Gold Coast Youth Service Inc , The YMCA Queensland), Brisbane Youth Service, IFYS Limited, and Q Shelter along with the Foyer Foundation and Hand Heart Pocket - and to the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works.   As Sara Parrott, CEO of HHP has said 'One of the most powerful parts of the Foyer advocacy approach was to bring young people who are living in Foyers to meet Ministers and government decision makers, so that the young people could share their compelling stories of the change they have achieved in their lives, like getting jobs, living safely and ultimately changing their life trajectory.  There is no clearer picture that could have been painted to demonstrate the urgency of investing in more places for young people to thrive, than hearing directly from the young people themselves about the transformative effect that Foyers have had on their lives. ... The announcement highlights the power of long-term thinking and importantly, philanthropic leverage, that will have an incredible ripple effect for tomorrow’s young Queenslanders.' We are excited by the prospect of more of these sorts of co-operative efforts and investments that could come through between the Queensland Government and the Queensland Kids Funders Alliance and the Invesment Dialogue for Australia's Children. ARACY Australia

Inclusion Education is a mission-led organisation. As a charity or ‘social business’ as I prefer to call ourselves, we are one of hundreds of thousands of mission-led organisations in the UK, contributing billions to GDP and employing around 4 million people. I am passionate about social value and it’s exciting to see many businesses, other than charities and social enterprises, becoming more values based and community focused. Businesses joining the mission-led movement, are creating jobs and opportunities where they’re desperately needed, empowering their staff, driving progress toward Net Zero, and sharing their expertise to benefit the community. It’s got to be the way forward for a healthy future for all. Have a read of the Business Plan for Britain by the Future Economy Alliance, who are campaigning to make mission-led way of working the national norm. I hope it inspires you! Let me know your thoughts… https://lnkd.in/eQyJH5hy #missionled #businessplanforbritain #futureeconomyalliance #makeadifference #ukinequality

"In a time when the lines between private and non-profit sectors are becoming increasingly blurred, the third sector—comprising non-profits, charities and social enterprises—plays a role in addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges. The charity sector on its own is valued at over £20 billion to the UK economy and there are around 900,000 jobs within the industry; it’s a significant part of the UK economy. In 2022 the combined value of volunteering and donations came to £23bn, representing 0.8% of total UK GDP. The £23bn figure is larger than the sports and gambling sector (£18.4bn), and the UK tourism industry (£2.3bn), combined. See article published in the The Business Influencer Publication Steps To Work, BYSA (Birmingham Youth Sports Academy), Acorns Children's Hospice, St Basils.

We are very excited that the Australian Government has announced that it is co-investing alongside 5 philanthropies to develop a “national, independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the needs and aspirations of local communities and addressing entrenched disadvantage”. “This is about listening to and empowering local leaders, working with communities and designing services in a way that meets their bespoke needs. The Australian Government is investing $19.3 million over five years to establish Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE). This will be matched by five philanthropy partners: Minderoo Foundation Paul Ramsay Foundation the The Ian Potter Foundation the BRYAN FOUNDATION and the @Dusseldorp Forum. PLACE will act as a one-stop shop to identify, support and enhance place-based programs in areas like the early years, youth development, health, education, employment and youth justice. PLACE will focus on strengthening the capacity of communities to design and deliver these programs, promote evidence sharing, and improve data governance across place-based initiatives. We are excited that dozens of Queensland communities and thousands of Queenslanders are expected to be helped by PLACE’s work in its first five years. TQKP has been strongly supportive of this national approach, reflecting the shared aspirations of the TQKP supported Qld Thriving Places, Thriving Kids Network. We do hope that this will be complimented by state and territory based infrastructure and multi-sectoral partnerships - like the Qld Place Development Network Model - as the States and Territories do a lot of the essential heavy lifting in what happens in our places and regions. Place-based approaches at their best involve governments at all levels partnering with local communities to develop collaborative, long-term solutions to complex social problems tailored to individual community needs. TQKP looks forward to collaborating with PLACE to maximise the opportunities and impacts for Qld’s child and youth focused place-based initiatives.