Some years ago when I took part in a group of very smart people whose job it was to think about technology and charities we had a mantra: tech was about improving the broader relationship with a charity's supporters, not just the transaction, which at the time was personified by the rush for 'click to give' type buttons on websites.
There's much public policy interest in funding only what works when it comes to public services. Nothing new you might suggest - especially if you remember the Modernising Government agenda. A number of initiatives are currrently afoot, including the Alliance for Useful Evidence and murmurings we might get a NICE for social policy. In the meantime, its heartening to see that the Big Lottery Fund taking a lead here - and Ceri's blog highlights that evidence-based public services might give the voluntary sector the opportunity to show what it can really achieve.
The internet is breaking. It's been on our radar for some time that ICANN - the body that oversees the internet - has invited applications to establish new global Top Level Domains (gTLDs). Examples are .com .org and .coop.
Jeremy is an old friend of mine - and arguably the voluntary sector's leading academic analyst. In anticipation of his new MA in Civil Society, NGO and Nonprofit Studies at Kent University, we've asked him to reflect on the public policy landscape. At the bottom you can find out about bursaries for NCVO members wanting to study on the MA.
It's the, er, Summer. Really. For a number of NCVO staff, our summer will include a stint volunteering at the Olympics; for others, some time off. If you’re looking for summer holiday reading, and the thought of two weeks of Harold Robbins or Dan Brown leaves you bewildered, I’ve asked colleagues for suggestions of books you might take with you - or is that now download?
Yesterday’s long awaited statement from Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) on the cap on Gift Aid tax relief was meant to clarify the confusion that has abounded amongst charities, philanthropists and advisors. Did it do the job?
In a church that is as broad as the UK voluntary sector it is difficult to summarise the wide range of asks that have been made of the Chancellor for today's budget.
This is a guest blog from Joy Dobbs, Research Consultant and NCVO Associate. We're working with Joy on the voluntary sector’s information and research needs, currently focusing on information traditionally obtained from the Census.
Are you a charity that works in health or housing or works with asylum seekers or people in BME or religious groups?
How is the recession changing voluntary sector - government relations? I'm fortunate to be in Toronto taking part in a global gathering of voluntary sector (nonprofit, to use the language here) researchers, Arnova.
I'm no governance expert, but I couldn't help but take an interest in a recent news item about the Charity Commission's open annual public meeting, where NCVO's President, Lord (Robin) Hodgson of Astley Abbott is reported to h
Some years ago when I took part in a group of very smart people whose job it was to think about 
The internet is breaking. It's been on our radar for some time that 
It's the, er, Summer. Really. For a number of NCVO staff, our summer will include a stint volunteering at the Olympics; for others, some time off. If you’re looking for summer holiday reading, and the thought of two weeks of Harold Robbins or Dan Brown leaves you bewildered, I’ve asked colleagues for suggestions of books you might take with you - or is that now download?
This is a guest blog from Joy Dobbs, Research Consultant and NCVO Associate. We're working with Joy on the voluntary sector’s information and research needs, currently focusing on information traditionally obtained from the Census.
Karl Wilding, Head of Policy, Research, and Foresight discusses the research reports that land on his desk and other research related topics.
