A new coalition of charities and voluntary organisations has been established to promote better public understanding of how charities work and the benefits they bring to society.

The ImpACT (Improving Accountability, Clarity and Transparency) Coalition, launched at the Institute of Fundraising's National Convention recently, has called on voluntary organisations and charities of all sizes to join up to the Coalition and its principles. It aims to involve the majority of the top 100 fundraising charities and a broad representation of smaller voluntary organisations from across the UK.

ImpACT is promoting six key themes throughout its work: charities are effective and do a great job, to raise money charities have to spend money, charities use donations carefully and wisely, charities are highly regulated and adhere to a range of strict standards, charities work together, and charities need the public's donations because they really do make a difference.

Alan Gosschalk, director of fundraising at Shelter and a leading member of the ImpACT steering group said: "It is vitally important that charities and voluntary organisations build on the massive support they already have among the British public. We believe the best way to do this is for all of us to work together to enhance our accountability and transparency and ensure that the public understand and support the work we do and understand the value we as a sector bring."

It is developing plans to ensure that the sector can take a more coordinated proactive and reactive approach to working with the media. This work will include a project aimed at inspiring TV and radio teams to generate positive ideas about charities.

To sign up to the Coalition, email [email protected]