Quick Survey	April Quick Survey Results
Is the budget good or bad news for the voluntary sector? Good Bad Undecided	Will 2009 reveal the companies truly committed to giving? Find out what readers think. Read about the purpose of DSC's survey

Budget gives sector a ticking time-bomb

In our pre-Budget article we said we'd be on the lookout for old rope, shiny new things and collateral damage, and as far as the voluntary sector goes we got a fair amount of all three, as well as clear warning of tough times ahead.

The budget gave the sector a £20m Hardship Fund but set a time-bomb ticking for those charities delivering public services. Read more.

Rating government funders

DSC's new funder ratings give an independent and unique insight into what to expect from numerous government funders giving money to the voluntary and community sector. We've rated nearly 200 of the funders featured on governmentfunding.org.uk, covering European, national, regional and local government funding. Read more.

Receive FREE fundraising ideas throughout the year

NTT Fundraising has launched a new service to help charities across the country develop their fundraising strategies. You will receive regular innovative fundraising ideas free of charge and each one focuses on a different type of campaign.

To register for this fantastic new service visit the NTT website www.nttfundraising.co.uk/our-services.aspx

New funding information on governmentfunding.org.uk

We have significantly expanded the funding information available on governmentfunding.org.uk. Subscribers now have access to over £2.2 billion worth of funding from local, regional and national government as well as European sources. A number of new features, including Funder Ratings on nearly 200 government funders have also been added. Find out more here.

DSC says

Government funding is not the answer for campaigning says Chief Executive Debra Allcock Tyler. It is a pointless waste of money. Click here to find out why.
Potential for an increase in company giving is huge says Director of Policy and Research Ben Wittenberg, because hardly any give and those that do, don't give much. Read more [pdf document].
Sign on the dotted line and hope for the best? Policy Officer Jay Kennedy examines the problems of 'last minute' terms and conditions from funders. Read more [pdf document].

Low cost, professional, targeted advertising for third sector jobs

Goodmoves provides online advertising for all your vacancies. As Goodmoves is provided by the sector for the sector, we understand the need to keep recruitment costs down while attracting high quality job seekers.

If you are looking for your next career move in the third sector, visit www.goodmoves.org.uk for all the best job opportunities and information. Jobs in health and social care, local infrastructure, regeneration, community development and many more are advertised UK-wide.

Relief for families struggling to pay for school clothing, books and outings

Cash-strapped families can apply for financial aid for school uniforms, books and outings from grant-making trusts. 1,400 trusts, listed in DSC's new Educational Grants Directory, offer up to £61 million for a range of educational grants throughout the UK. Read more.

The fundamental roles of governance (and get your free magazine)

In the latest issue of governance magazine Mike Hudson, author of Managing Without Profit, explains the ten key functions of boards of trustees. In the limited time that board members devote to the organisation they have to focus their efforts sharply on these crucial functions that no one else can discharge.

To read the full article and to request your FREE copy of governance magazine visit http://www.charitygovernance.co.uk/home/freetrial2.php.

Accountants: get fit for the future

In challenging times, you need to train harder so you can respond quickly and effectively to change and understand the financial impact of changing strategies and priorities. The programme for Charity Accountants' Conference has been specifically designed to provide delegates of all levels with the skills and knowledge they need to tackle challenges head on. Read more.

A helping hand with annual reports

Become an assertive professional. Reaffirm your confidence in relationship building and enhance communication skills at our training course, Becoming an Assertive Professional
Cartoon © by Grizelda

No matter how proud you are of the work you do, communicating your success through an annual report can feel onerous, time-consuming and fiddly.

Intelligent Giving, a charitable organisation, can help you create your annual report for less than a quarter of the usual price.

They will analyse a draft of your annual report, or the report you wrote last year, and provide you with practical, easy to implement advice on how it could be improved.

Intelligent Giving has analysed 1,700 reports for over 800 charities (helpful when it comes to judging what makes an excellent report).

Their reports meet the Charity Commission's standards, communicate a clear message to supporters and demonstrate your commitment to transparency and accountability to your donors and beneficiaries.

The Intelligent Giving method for assessing reports has been approved by the Charity Commission as an objective means of measuring transparency. To access this service all you have to do is register or sign in to MyDSC

A Selection of Diary Dates Full May Listings Full June Listings
18-19 May, Accounting and Financial Management, London 20-21 May, Practical Project Management, Manchester 27 May, Communicating to Influence, London 1 June, Fundraising in a Recession, London	2 June, Getting Money from Government, London 3-4 June, Effective Fundraising II, Manchester 12 June, Proposal Writing for Beginners, London 22-25 June, Foundation Course in Fundraising Practice, Birmingham

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