A campaign to help boards understand the risks and opportunities of social investment, was launched today by a group of sector bodies, with free guides to help trustees get started.
The Get Informed campaign organised by Big Society Capital, The Charity Commission, Trustees Unlimited, Association of Chairs, Honorary Treasurer’s Forum, Reach Volunteering and Cass Centre for Charity Excellence, was set up following research by the Charity Commission that revealed “skilled and engaged boards” were better able to consider alternative funding methods to achieve their strategy.
A report by the Association of Chairs also revealed “a clear need” for better support for board members in their personal development in order to consider social investment options.
Free resources, guidance and workshops
Big Society Capital said the campaign will offer “free practical support, guidance and information via events and workshops, resources and materials on social investment, peer-to-peer networks, board facilitated sessions and mentors”.
Geetha Rabindrakumar, head of social sector engagement at Big Society Capital said the organisation “consistently hears that charity and social enterprise boards need more support if they are to engage meaningfully with alternative funding models”.
“Get Informed is our response to help address this,” she said.
Sarah Atkinson, director of policy and communications at the Charity Commission said: “We recognise that social investment offers new opportunities to help charities grow and many are keen to harness its potential. However, it’s crucial that trustees are sufficiently informed about the options available and know what they have to consider before making decisions about social investment.
“These resources, along with our core financial guidance, should help trustees make well-considered decisions for their charity. We have also recently updated our guidance on social investment to reflect the new legislation in the Charities Act.”
Charities can register to receive support via Big Society Capital’s website.
