The Charity Employees Benevolent Fund aims to have raised £400,000 by the end of next year and to have spent at least £250,000 helping over 500 families.

But it accepts that in order to achieve this it will have to win funding to enable it to hire a full-time fundraiser by the end of 2010.

In its first annual report and accounts since its official launch last November, the CEBF revealed that it has provided grants to beneficiaries totalling £2,557 – up from £150 in 2009.

Income for the year to 31 March 2010 totalled £42,394 while expenditure climbed to £67,045, resulting in a £24,000 deficit.  However, the Fund ended the year with £27,741 in the bank, having previously raised £100,000 prior to launch.

Since the start of the new financial year a further £50,000 has been raised, mostly from corporate supporters and some private individuals.

Eighty applications for assistance have been lodged. The report explained that while it is for financial help that beneficiaries usually approach the Fund, this is usually the last thing it provides, with advice and guidance much more prevalent.  

Over the next 15 months, the Fund plans to raise at least £400,000 from foundations, charities, corporate supporters and individual charity employees and beyond then, to grow both income and expenditure by 25-30 per cent each year.

However, it admitted it was currently reviewing these ambitions in light of the current economic conditions.  “To achieve these we need to win funding for a full-time fundraising director by the end of 2010.”

Attached to the report are two case studies from former charity employees that have received assistance from the Fund. An accompanying statement says: “We would urge charity leaders to reflect on these and ask themselves whether or not their organisation would help current and former employees of their charity that were faced with similar issues?  If you can’t honestly answer yes then a donation to CEBF to build up the Fund for the sector would be appropriate.

“There is a common perception that if you are a responsible employer then your staff will not need CEBF: current and former staff of even the best sector employers have come to us for help.”