March 2019 Technology: Mergers: Investment: Interview: Digital Guide 2019 Mergers in the third sector Portfolio performance Kay Boycott Experts from across the charity A review of the latest figures 2018 proved to be a The chief of Asthma UK sector provide an overview of the revealing the trends among volatile year for financial on the similarities between digital issues charities of all sizes mergers in the charity sector, markets, but what were running a charity and the need to be aware of. plus first hand exeperiences. the effects on charities? world of parenting. Publicity / Charity Digital Guide 2019 / Mergers / Ethics and branding / Asthma UK interview / Asthma / Charity and branding Publicity / Ethics / Investment Guide 2019 / Mergers Digital A growing community Social media is a powerful tool for publicity, but keeping your audience engaged is key. Plus: www.charitytimes.com March 2019 March Sector and investment columns REVEALED News The most popular charity brands in the UK See page 50 for charity suppliers’ directory cover.indd 1 20/02/2019 12:48:08 Insurance with risk management “advice means you’re in safe “ hands. We specialise in the not-for-profit and faith sectors. It’s not just our friendly sales team and accessible underwriters that set us apart. We also offer risk management resources online. That means you can rely on us for unrivalled support to help protect your most valued assets. For more information about Ansvar, talk to your broker or visit our website: www.ansvar.co.uk Insuring the heart of your community Ansvar Insurance is a business division of Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc (EIO) Registered Number 24869. EIO is registered in England at Beaufort House, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1JZ. EIO is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. All content © Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc 2019. J0444_ANS_Charity_Times_Safe_Hands_271x204mm_AW1_CV.indd 1 13/02/2019 11:44 Editorial Comment The power of social engagement t’s a Tuesday morning and instead of getting ready for work, I’m making Editor Lauren Weymouth my way through a series of videos of a woman from Essex cleaning her [email protected] shower door. 020 7562 2411 I For those of you who don’t know – and who probably think I’ve lost my Contributing Writers mind – I’m referring to the Instagram videos (aka stories) posted by Mrs Caron Bradshaw, Peter Lewis, Gillian McKay, Hinch, a new ‘Insta-celeb’, who has gained both fame and followers for Antonia Swinson, Becky Slack, David Adams, sharing short videos of her innately addictive daily cleaning routine. Joe Lepper, Ellie Hale, Zoe Amar, Krystyna Grant, Kate Collins It probably sounds totally bonkers that a person has gained celebrity status by filming themselves scrubbing the inside of a washing machine, but for Mrs Design & Production Hinch, it is a reality. And a reality that has come with a 1.8 million following. Matt Mills Mrs Hinch claims she started sharing her cleaning hacks on Instagram [email protected] – – 020 7562 2406 because she finds cleaning particularly the satisfaction of the end result helps to control her anxiety and she wanted to share this process with others. Commercial Manager Somehow, the weirdly fascinating insight into another person’s cleaning Linda Libetta [email protected] routine has caught on and now thousands of people are opening up about their 020 7562 2431 own mental health and declaring themselves part of the #HinchArmy, all ‘hinching’ themselves towards happiness. Subscriptions [email protected] Whilst I’m sat here watching this total stranger scrub away at her shower 01635 588 861 screen (apparently a bit of Cif does the trick, FYI), it occurs to me that if a Subscription Rates (6 issues pa) seemingly ordinary woman can generate such a large and adoring online £79pa registered charities audience by glamourising such a mundane activity, it must be entirely £119pa rest of UK, £127pa EU possible for charities of all sizes, too. £132pa elsewhere In this issue, our inagural Charity Digital Guide focuses on the huge Printed by Buxton Press possibilities digital can provide, including the chance to be a better leader All rights reserved. The views expressed through social media (p.37), but also on the importance of using it as a tool are not necessarily those of the publishers. for greater publicity (p.21). ISSN : 1355-4573 More importantly, though, our cover story explores how effective social Published by media can be for building your own supersize community and communicating Perspective Publishing with the people in it in simple, yet engaging ways. 6th Floor, 3 London Wall Buildings If Mrs Hinch has unintentionally helped thousands of people open up about London EC2M 5PD their mental health through oddly-satisfying videos of shiny shower doors and www.perspectivepublishing.com steam-mopped floors, then imagine the impact your charities, which are Managing Director intentionally raising awareness for a cause, could have using such simple John Woods methods, too. Publishing Director Mark Evans Lauren Weymouth, Editor Average net circulation of 8,500 copies for July 15 – June 16 www.charitytimes.com 03 editorial-comment.indd 1 20/02/2019 11:51:36 In this issue Contents March 2019 21 17 06 News & views Regulars 06 News 10 Appointments Columns 12 Reporting by Caron Bradshaw 14 Fundraising by Peter Lewis Interview 15 Risk Cover story by Gillian McKay 16 Property 21 Publicity 17 Kay Boycott by Antonia Swinson Social media can be a hugely powerful The CEO of Asthma UK talks to tool for publicity, but keeping your David Adams about her journey to Charity Services audience engaged is essential, finds success and the links between 50 Suppliers Directory Joe Lepper. running a charity and parenting. 04 www.charitytimes.com contents.indd 2 20/02/2019 12:30:21 In this issue Contents 29 44 28 Features and reviews 28 The top 10 most popular charity brands A look at the 10 most popular charities in the UK, according to new figures from YouGov. 42 Digital fundraising tools to look out for Charity Times rounds up some of Digital Mergers the key difital fundraising tools to keep an eye on. 29 Charity Digital Guide 2019 44 Mergers in the third sector 46 How did charity investment Experts from across the charity A review of the latest figures portfolios perform in 2018? sector provide an overview of the revealing the trends among mergers 2018 was a volatile year for digital issues charities of all sizes in the charity sector, plus first hand financial markets, but how did it need to be aware of. experiences of a merged charity. affect charities? www.charitytimes.com 05 contents.indd 3 19/02/2019 17:37:35 News in brief offers, to the UK,” a BT spokesperson said. “The way ‘power is managed’ and CHARITIES FACE A DIFFICULT YEAR, SAYS NCVO trust is ‘earned and kept’ Charities face a financially within the organisation has challenging year ahead as a result of been at the expense of Oxfam’s Brexit uncertainty, tight government budgets and a slow economy, the staff and the communities NCVO has warned. According to the they serve” membership body’s annual report, The Road Ahead, charities are cautioned to be aware that a weak pound, high inflation and declining confirmed nine organisations will be investment in the UK leave the benefitting from a multi-million economy and many beneficiaries pound fund, which is designed to ‘fragile’. The NCVO’s research create 6,250 new youth group places highlights that despite record jobs through the expansion of uniformed growth, the average pay packet youth groups. More than 1,000 adult remains £11 a week lower in real volunteers will also have the CHARITIES UNPREPARED FOR terms than before the financial crisis, opportunity to join local groups. no-deal BREXIT, SURVEY FINDS while those who rely on benefits The majority of charities are ill- will also continue to feel their OXFAM’S FOCUS AND MANAGEMENT prepared for a no-deal Brexit and disposable income ‘squeezed’ OF POWER WAS DETRIMENTAL TO must do everything in their power to over the coming year. STAFF, REVIEW FINDS prevent it, new research has found. Oxfam spent too much time focussing A new survey conducted by Charity CHARITIES NEED TO MAKE on what it aims to achieve rather than Finance Group found over a third of VOLUNTEERING MORE INCLUSIVE, how it’s done, a scathing report into charities (38%) have made no REPORT FINDS the charity has revealed. An interim preparations at all for a no-deal Charities need to work to address the review into the charity, published by Brexit and just 8% are fully aware of ‘structural barriers’ preventing people an independent commission, claimed the impact it will have on their from volunteering, particularly those the way ‘power is managed’ and trust charity. The research found the from lower socio-economic is ‘earned and kept’ within the majority of charities lack adequate backgrounds, a new report has organisation has been at the expense preparations for a no-deal scenario – revealed. The report, Time Well Spent, of Oxfam’s staff and the communities of the charities that responded, 83% conducted by YouGov on behalf of they serve. “The risks associated with said they have made little or no the NCVO, found diversity continues reporting allegations of sexual preparation (see p.8 for more details). to be an issue among volunteers, with exploitation and abuse are often high; those from middle class backgrounds preventing and responding to such BT’S MYDONATE FUNDRAISING almost 50% more likely to have incidents requires the organisation’s PLATFORM TO CLOSE volunteered in the last 12 months full commitment,” the report said.