Useful articles

Meet the Changemakers
The ability of a third sector organisation to engage effectively with private companies and public agencies will be a key determinant of their success in working towards their mission. This collection of reflections by third sector organisation leaders will allow you to question whether efforts are being made to continue innovative offerings and pragmatic approaches and whether needs of beneficaries are put above all else.

Meeting the news needs of local communities
This report, commissioned by Media Trust and written by Goldsmith Goldsmith Media Research Centre, highlights the inextricable link between a vibrant local media and proper accountability and democracy.

Fundraising

'A bigger slice or less pie - why charities should invest to grow'
Jonathan Baker, NFP Synergy
This publication explains why charities should invest in fundraising during the recession.

Mergers, Collaborations and Consortia

Making Mergers Work: Helping You Succeed
Charity Commission
This document provides practical help to any charity which is considering, planning or progressing a merger.

Collaborative Working and Mergers (CC34)
Charity Commission
Guidance for any charities considering working in partnership or merging with other organisations.

Charity Mergers: Tackling the Issues in Practice
Social Finance
Publication exploring the issues and barriers associated with charity mergers.

What Place for Mergers between Charities
New Philanthropy Capital
This publication looks at whether mergers can benefit the charity sector.

Forewarned is Forearmed: Critical Factors for Mergers
Ben Cairns, The Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR)
IVAR has recently carried out a review of one organisation's mergers with four smaller players in the same field to identify lessons learned from their experience. Director Ben Cairns reports on its findings.

Partnerships and Mergers
Nigel Kippax and David Seall, KC Stable
This publication is targeted at organisations who work with other organisations in order to cut costs. It looks at three types of partnerships, from a simple working relationship to a full merger. It highlights the risk, benefits and challenges associated with each scenario.

Demonstrating Impact

Scaling Up for the Big Society
Martin Brookes, New Philanthropy Capital, May 2010
Suggests ways to assess evidence of impact and social benefit and providing guidance on what to charities should scale up and how to do it.