Free Resources for Charities

Running a small charity can feel like a monumental task. Between fundraising, managing volunteers, and ensuring compliance, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news? There are plenty of free resources available to help you navigate the challenges and achieve your mission effectively. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best free resources for small charities in the UK, covering everything from funding opportunities to digital tools. Let’s dive in!

Unlock Funding Opportunities

Securing funding is a critical component of sustaining and growing your charity. Here are some top free resources to help you discover grants and other financial support:

• GrantNav: With GrantNav, you can explore a wide range of grants awarded across the UK. The tool allows you to search, filter, and download data, helping you identify potential funders.
• The National Lottery Community Fund: The National Lottery Community Fund offers substantial grants to support projects that enhance communities and improve lives. Check out their funding opportunities and see how your charity can benefit.

Enhance Your Skills with Training and Development

Continuous learning is key to running an effective charity. Here are some fantastic resources to help you and your team develop crucial skills:

• NCVO Help and Guidance: This platform provides a wealth of free guides, templates, and resources covering everything from governance to financial management.
• OpenLearn: Offered by the Open University, OpenLearn provides free courses on a variety of topics relevant to charity work, including leadership, management, and finance.
• Charity Digital Code: This code provides best practice guidelines to help charities enhance their digital capabilities, ensuring you stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements.

Navigate Legal and Compliance Challenges

Understanding legal requirements and ensuring compliance can be daunting, but these resources make it easier:

• LawWorks: LawWorks connects small charities with free legal advice from volunteer lawyers, providing support on a wide range of legal matters.

Leverage Technology and Digital Tools

Harnessing technology can streamline your operations and amplify your impact. Here’s where to find free tech resources:

• Charity Digital Exchange: Access free and discounted technology products, including essential software and hardware, to support your charity’s operations.
• Google for Nonprofits: Google offers free access to tools like Google Workspace, YouTube for Nonprofits, and Google Ad Grants, which provides up to $10,000 per month in free advertising.

Recruit and Manage Volunteers Effectively

Volunteers are the backbone of many charities. These platforms can help you find and manage them effectively:

• Reach Volunteering: Connect with skilled volunteers across various sectors. Whether you need help with governance, marketing, or project management, Reach Volunteering can match you with the right people.

Boost Your Marketing and Publicity Efforts

Getting the word out about your charity is essential for raising awareness and support. These resources can help:

• Media Trust: Media Trust offers free media and communications training to help you improve your charity’s visibility and outreach.

Build Networks and Community Support

Connecting with other charities and community organisations can provide invaluable support and opportunities for collaboration:

• Local CVS (Council for Voluntary Service): Join your local CVS to access advice, support, and networking opportunities that can help you build a stronger charity.
• NCVO Membership: NCVO offers free membership for small charities, providing access to resources, events, and a supportive community of fellow charities.

Improve Your Charity Management

Effective management is crucial for your charity’s success. These tools can help you optimise your operations:

• Charity Excellence Framework: Use this free online toolkit to assess and improve your charity’s performance across various operational areas, from governance to financial management.

Strengthen Governance and Policy Development

Strong governance is the foundation of a well-run charity. These resources can guide you in building robust governance structures:

• Governance Code for Smaller Charities: This code offers tailored guidance to help smaller charities implement best practices in governance.
• NCVO Governance Resources: Explore comprehensive resources to improve your charity’s governance, from trustee management to policy development.

Measure Your Impact and Success

Understanding and demonstrating your charity’s impact is crucial for building trust and securing funding. These resources can help you measure and showcase your success:

• Inspiring Impact: Access free tools and guidance for measuring and improving your charity’s impact, helping you make a stronger case to funders and stakeholders.

By taking advantage of these free resources, your charity can not only overcome challenges but also thrive and expand its impact. Whether you need help with funding, volunteer management, or governance, these tools and platforms offer invaluable support without straining your budget. Start exploring these resources today and empower your charity to achieve even greater heights!