Surviving tough times

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We hear reports every day that non profits are facing tough times. Challenges of greater demand for services, decreases in donations, funding cuts, suppliers going out of business, increased enquiries about volunteering, all impact on day-to-day activities.

However, there is help around if you know where to look. There are new grants, people offering free consultancy to non profits and lots of sources of advice and support. Here is a round-up of the ones we know about. Please help us build this list by adding your suggestions as comments.  

General support

• Helping charities through the economic downturn (Charity Commission): research and resources.
  
• Cuts Watch (ACEVO): supporting the third sector through spending cuts.
• Coping with Cuts (NCVO).
• Public spending cuts and the voluntary and community sector - resource paper from NACVA's CEO Kevin Curley.
  
• Tools for Success - self-assessment toolkit: has your organisation got what it takes to be sustainable?
• Resources for arts and cultural organisations: guide produced by Audiences London.

News and views

• Speakers at ACEVO's 2009 CEO Summit in June 09 gave their views about leading through the recession. Listen to podcasts we recorded with them. You'll need to register/log in to access the ACEVO Summit podcasts. 
• Podcasts from ACEVO: organisation leaders give their views and advice about the recession.
• Social enterprise in the recession survey (Social Enterprise Coalition)

Government initiatives and funding

• Modernisation Fund: funding to help frontline third sector organisations increase their impact and become more resilient through working more closely with others.
  
• Great round-up of other grants by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation.

Financial difficulties

• CAF's financial crisis helpline
• Managing financial difficulties and insolvency in charities (Charities Commission)

Staff and volunteers

• How to manage your workforce in a recession (CIPD)
• Managing volunteers during a recession (NCVO)

Free support for your organisation

• Small Charities Coalition - join as a friend (for free) and get support from others. 
• The Cranfield Trust - is offering free management and consultancy for nonprofits.

Your job and your development

• Dealing with redundancy (Careers Advice)
• Dealing with redundancy (Direct.Gov)
• Find a new job
• New to non profit sector?
  

Events

There are lots of training courses and conferences. Have a look at our events section for what's on in your area.

Have your say

Which, if any of these resources have you used? Were they helpful? What others would you recommend? How are you being affected by the current climate?

Have your say on the Issues and challenges forum.