Makerble Charity Roundup

Growing cyber threat to charity sector, NCSC reports

A new National Cyber Security Centre report has outlined why organisations in the charity sector are particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks in comparison to businesses and government organisations. For example, is less likely to have organisational IT, relying predominantly on staff’s personal devices, which are harder to secure. A cyber attack could affect a charity’s services, data and funds. The report directs staff and trustees to the online resources they need to safeguard their organisation. Read the full report here.

Economic and social progress dependent on sectors working together

A two-year commission created by Pro Bono Economics in 2020 has called for government, businesses and funders to support charities in national recovery and growth. The report, Unleashing the power of civil society, sets out recommendations on collaboration between the sectors. The Chair of the Commission, Lord Gus O'Donnell summarised “Successive governments have neglected charities for too long, and our country is the worse for it. That must change in order to achieve the national renewal and better future that the UK desperately needs, because charities are a key part of the solution to every challenge we face.”

Record number of wills included a gift to charity in 2022

The total value of charitable estates in 2022 currently stands at a record breaking £2.1bn. Some organisations are yet to report there final accounts to the Charity Commission, so Smee & Ford estimates the actual figure to be around £3.5bn. Of the wills handled by Smee & Ford last year almost 16% included a gift to charity, which is also the highest amount it has ever recorded.

Strong communities: The backdrop to the cost-of-living crisis

The National Lottery Community Fund’s latest Community Research Index, a survey of 8,000 adults across the UK, shows that eight in ten people are expecting the demand for their local foodbank to increase, and three in four people predict an increase in demand for mental health services and the need for debt support. However, there is a growing sense of community, with more people saying they feel a connection to their local community compared to previous years. 49% of people plan to volunteer in 2023, with a clear focus on food banks. 42% of those intending to volunteer plan to offer their help to a food bank. Over half of UK adults think that support those struggling because of the cost-of-living crisis is important to the well-being of their local community.

South London community farm to launch food growing project to help residents

Around ten years ago Loughborough Junction Action Group turned a vacant open space in South London into a thriving community farm. The charity recently received £84,500 of funding to help people learn to grow their own food. They will hold 100 growing session a year as well as workshops on healthy eating and horticulture, to encourage people to grow food on their balconies or in their gardens. The project hopes to bring together the community improve the environment and support local residents.

Sources:

https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/blog-post/phishing-and-ransomware-amongst-biggest-threats-to-charity-sector

https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/01/26/economic-social-progress-in-uk-dependent-on-sectors-working-together-commission-concludes/

https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/01/26/2022-saw-charities-receive-highest-number-of-bequests-on-record/

https://www.charitytoday.co.uk/community-connections-strengthen-despite-cost-of-living-pressures/

https://www.charitytoday.co.uk/south-london-food-growing-project-will-help-hundreds-more-residents/