The Directory of Social Change has launched a campaign to hold the government to its promise to repay to good causes the National Lottery money taken for the Olympics, as the government reviews its original agreement to do so.

Trusts and foundations have been traversing troubled waters, but so far managed to stay the course with their grantmaking. Celina Ribeiro investigates how grantmakers have reacted to the downturn and how they are preparing to navigate the future.

Small print exists for a reason and charities could save precious time by taking note, says Ben Wittenberg, who is calling for a sector-wide debate on problems facing charities when applying for grants.

Phil Hope, the former skills minister in the Department for Education and Skills, has been appointed as the new minister for the third sector at the Cabinet Office. He will replace Ed Miliband, who has been promoted to minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.