Welcome to our guide on the best resources for charities! Whether you're an established charity or just starting out, having access to the right tools and resources can make all the difference. From recruiting volunteers to managing finances and everything in between, the right resources can help you achieve your goals and make a positive impact on the community. In this guide, we've compiled a list of 7 of the best resources for charities. You'll learn about organisations like BeyondMe, Reach Volunteering, ThirdBridge, NCVO Knowhow Nonprofit, Foundation for Social Improvement, LibreOffice, and Globechain, and how they can help your charity thrive. So, if you're looking for valuable resources that can take your charity to the next level, read on!
What types of resources are available for charities and nonprofits
Charities and nonprofits require a wide range of resources to support their missions and achieve their goals. Fortunately, there are many free resources available that can help charities with various aspects of their operations. These resources can be invaluable, particularly for smaller organisations with limited budgets.
One type of resource that is available to charities is legal support. Many law firms offer pro bono services to nonprofits, helping them navigate legal issues such as tax regulations, contracts, and intellectual property. Business development resources are also available to charities, such as free training programs and mentorship opportunities that can help organisations improve their operational efficiency and develop new fundraising strategies.
Another type of resource for charities is knowledge bases and resource hubs. These online platforms offer a wealth of information on topics such as fundraising, marketing, and governance, and can provide useful templates and tools that can help nonprofits improve their practices. Freeuse items are another type of resource that charities can benefit from. For example, Globechain is a platform that allows organisations to share and receive free surplus items, such as office furniture or equipment, which can help reduce overhead costs.
Having access to a wide range of resources is extremely helpful to charities as it allows them to focus their resources on their mission and programs rather than spending time and money on administrative and operational tasks. By taking advantage of free resources, charities can improve their operations, engage more volunteers and donors, and ultimately have a greater impact on their communities.
Our top 7 free resources for charities
Here are seven of the best free charity fundraising consultants available for charities in the UK.
BeyondMe https://beyondme.org/
BeyondMe is a platform that matches charities to volunteer teams. Once your project has been chosen by a team, they dedicate their time, money and skills to your organisation for one year. BeyondMe has donated more than £564,000 and assisted 84 charities. This is a fantastic way to get skilled volunteers for your charity and to achieve your goals.
Reach Volunteering https://reachskills.org.uk/charities-non-profits/find-skilled-volunteer
Reach Volunteering is a platform that connects UK-based non-profits with skilled volunteers. Charities with an annual turnover of less than £1M can access their platform free. Reach Volunteering sources volunteers from among 7,000 professionals specialising in fields including IT, finance, marketing and communications and the law. This platform is another great way to find highly skilled volunteers to support your charity.
ThirdBridge https://thirdbridge.co.uk
ThirdBridge is an online matchmaking platform for charities to meet corporations seeking to donate skills, resources, and knowledge. Charities, once vetted (usually by telephone within one business day), use the platform for free. Charities post their specific needs, and corporations respond by offering their help. This platform facilitates access to valuable resources and assistance for your charity.
NCVO Knowhow Nonprofit https://www.ncvo.org.uk/
NCVO Knowhow Nonprofit is a website for how-to guides and e-learning. It covers a wide range of governance and funding topics, including risk management and measuring your digital skills. It also offers a free benchmarking and analysis tool. This platform can be very helpful for charities who need guidance on important topics.
Foundation for Social Improvement http://www.thefsi.org/services/
Foundation for Social Improvement is both an online information hub and holds conferences, webinars, seminars and training courses very regularly for small charities. They encompass 360° of managing a charity, from IT to fundraising, governance, GDPR, the consequences of Brexit, etc. While you may have to pay a small fee to participate in face-to-face learning, web conferences and online lessons are free. This platform can be an excellent way for charities to improve their knowledge and skills.
LibreOffice https://www.libreoffice.org/
LibreOffice is a popular, free software suite with function and user interface substantially identical to Microsoft Office. It is compatible with MacOS, Windows, and Linux. It includes programs for word processing, spreadsheets and calculations, presentations, vector graphics, charts, databases, and formula editing. This platform can be a fantastic way for charities to save money on software.
Globechain https://www.globechain.co.uk/
Globechain is the UK’s biggest B2B reuse platform, giving charities, non-profits and social enterprises access to thousands of free items. Donation categories include office equipment, retail displays, fixtures, and fittings, medical equipment, construction materials and domestic items. You can also create a custom alert for any item that you may be looking for. This platform helps charities to access items they need for their operations for free.
From skilled volunteers to free software and items, these resources can help charities achieve their goals and improve their services.
Conclusion
This guide lists 7 helpful resources for UK charities and non-profits, including BeyondMe, Reach Volunteering, ThirdBridge, NCVO Knowhow Nonprofit, Foundation for Social Improvement, LibreOffice, and Globechain. These resources offer a range of support, including volunteer matching, skilled volunteering, free online courses, software suites, and access to thousands of free items. Charities can use these resources to save money and time, and access skills and expertise they may not otherwise be able to afford. To move forward with these resources, organisations can visit the respective websites and sign up for the services they need.