David Dunsire, Consultant in our Charities and Third Sector team, believes that a recent ACOSVO event will help inspire innovation and bold thinking as evolution in the sector is framed by the consequences of Covid-19 emergency.
David said: "Charity leaders must be prepared to ask tough questions of themselves as they face up to the long-term fallout of the coronavirus pandemic." He believes the coming months will prove pivotal in deciding the future of many third sector organisations in Scotland.
The scale of the financial challenges faced by many charities was reinforced last week by the latest Covid Charity Tracker, published by Pro Bono Economics in partnership with the Institute of Fundraising and the Charity Finance Group. It found that more than half of UK charities fear demand may outstrip their ability to deliver this winter - with almost all confirming the pandemic had left them with a financial challenge.
Charities continue to grapple with how to generate income while the major fundraising events that would normally provide significant cash boosts cannot be held because of social distancing rules.
Lindsays is proud to support the Chairs Network Scotland series run by ACOSVO and at this event - Successful Strategies: A Chair's Perspective - David was involved in an in-depth discussion by third sector chairs on how to create effective strategies and how to achieve buy-in from those delivering them.
David said: “We’re blessed across the third sector with innovative leaders through whom we are seeing some remarkable resilience in the face of challenges the likes of which no-one could have predicted.
“There’s not a lot of fat generally in how charities operate financially, but the pandemic has undoubtedly put a focus on how things can be done better.”
That is challenging charity executives, trustees and chairs with vital - but often difficult - decisions.
“It perhaps goes without saying that what’s vital in any charity right now is the strongest possible leadership. That’s more important than ever,” David added.
“That’s underpinned by good governance, which has to be led by the chair. It’s essential that we have chairs with vision and that the best people are in these roles - people who inspire innovation. We need people who are prepared to ask themselves difficult questions - what’s been done right, what should have been done better and where they are going - and are they the right person to lead the changes which are needed.”
Sound strategy and advice are key to achieving a better way of working, Mr Dunsire believes.
“Without a solid strategy the ability to raise income is going to suffer,” he said. “By looking at their strategies now and being bold in their outlook, charities are less likely to be left behind.
“Organisations need to ask themselves whether some events have had their day and how the best serve their beneficiaries.
“Well run charities are going to be the ones which come through this.”
For more information about Chairs Network Scotland, please visit www.acosvo.org.uk/chairs
