Highlighted stories

Cause4’s response to: The UK Civil Society Almanac 2019 Report

15th July, 2019 | By Cause4 staff

The UK Civil Society Almanac Reports, released by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), is a crucial source of data that has been providing insights into developments in the voluntary sector since 1996. NCVO has now released its latest annual report, of which the following response will outline key findings including positive growth in terms of grants and investments, whilst public donations and fundraising decline. Diversity in particular has been highlighted as an ongoing issue within the sector throughout the report.  

The 2019 Charity Digital Skills Report highlights urgent need to develop tech-savvy Boards

20th June, 2019 | By Poppy Facer

For three years now, the Skills Platform, in partnership with Zoe Amar Digital has released a national report to assess digital competence across the charity sector. This year's survey received 540 responses from charities with income ranging from below £10,000 to above £10million and disappointingly, several key points measured demonstrated very limited progress or a decline in overall digital skills and preparedness.

Topics: 
Governance and Trustees

Bah Humbug! Why helping the homeless is for life, not just for Christmas

6th December, 2017 | By Emily Clarke

With a chill in the air, and frost biting at our toes, the festive season is fast approaching – and alongside it, woolly jumpers, warm mulled wine, and increased charitable giving.

Cause4's Thoughts on Giving Tuesday

28th November, 2017 | By Cause4 staff

As always, in the build up to Christmas there is a frenzy of activity. Christmas adverts and Black Friday are doing their best to make sure that our spirit of giving/purchasing is as strong as ever – but charity campaigns are also joining these efforts. We’ve just had BBC Children in Need, the Poppy Appeal and we’re edging towards the end of Movember; but don’t forget the annual event of Giving Tuesday taking place today!

International aid cash transfers – an effective tool for independence, or a waste of British taxpayer’s money?

17th November, 2017

Entwined with the history of imperialism is how richer countries give money to poorer countries – something they have been doing in various ways since the 19th century. People usually think of international giving as programmes, or aid goods packages, however a growing trend is appearing to complement or replace these interventions – cash transfers.

Topics: 
Insight
Investment
Culture change

International aid cash transfers – an effective tool for independence, or a waste of British taxpayers' money?

17th November, 2017 | By Cause4 staff

Entwined with the history of imperialism is how richer countries give money to poorer countries – something they have been doing in various ways since the 19th century.[1] People usually think of international giving as programmes or aid goods packages, however a growing trend is appearing to complement or replace these interventions – cash transfers.

MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change Competition

3rd November, 2017 | By Cause4 staff

100&Change is a MacArthur Foundation competition for a $100 million grant to fund a single proposal that promises real and measurable progress in solving a critical problem of our time, in any problem area.

From nearly 2,000 applications, four finalists have been selected, and are due to present their solutions at a live event in December 2017.

The four finalists are:

 

The Nightmare Before Christmas – Halloween Fundraising Ideas!

30th October, 2017 | By Cause4 staff

Here at Cause4, we love hearing about all the weird, wacky and wonderful fundraising ideas people come up with. As Halloween creeps around the corner, here are some of our favourites to give you some inspiration!

Pumpkins Galore

It comes as no surprise that many people embrace the humble gourd and take it to new fundraising heights at Halloween. Here are some ideas:

Should We Discourage State School Fundraising or Accept it as a Necessity?

12th October, 2017 | By Cause4 staff

State school fundraising, necessary, optional, or actively discouraged?

Foreign Aid Spending

3rd October, 2017 | By Cause4 staff

The UK has continued its commitment to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income on overseas development aid each year,[1] (The UN’s target for all developed countries in place since 1970), believing that this helps to build a ‘safer, healthier, more prosperous world for people in developing countries and in the UK’.[2]

The UK first managed to achieve this figure in 2013, before making it into law in 2015, and it has been a hotly-debated topic ever since.

Environmental Charities and Non-Profits: What Can They Achieve?

18th September, 2017 | By Cause4 staff

President Trump’s decision to bring America out of the Paris Climate Agreement sent shockwaves throughout the world.[1] The decision compounds the growing environmental concerns that worry many global citizens and governments who are concerned by the levels of environmental destruction and climate change. On a daily basis, 134m metric tons of greenhouse gases are emitted and 123,000 acres of forest are lost.[2]

Deeds AND Words: telling stories to promote women's charities

4th September, 2017 | By Emily Clarke

On a chilly day in January 2017, millions of people took to the streets across the world in an international day of solidarity for the protection of women’s rights.