Resources, guidance and useful information

Bespoke resources to support RASASF grantee charities

Building on the programme of organisational sustainability and resilience support for RASASF grantee charities we introduced in September 2023, we are pleased to now offer you exclusive access to these bespoke resources from Cranfield Trust in the following four areas:

• Cash flow forecasting

• Investability

• Business planning for charities

• Good governance

During times of economic uncertainty controlling cash flow can become more difficult, yet more important, than ever.  Here we share practical suggestions for cash flow forecasting, as well as ideas and resources to help support you.

On-demand webinar - Cash is King: The importance of cash flow forecasting

This webinar is designed for charity finance managers, bookkeepers and Trustees.  It focuses on the importance of cash flow forecasting for small and medium charities during a time of economic uncertainty. Attendees can follow a demo of practical suggestions, basic concepts and ideas that they can implement immediately.  

The class is presented by Cranfield Trust's South West Project Manager Marie Langan who is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of accounting and auditing experience in a variety of management roles in Big Four and Top 20 firms in the UK and US. 

Watch the recording of 'Cash is King: The importance of cash flow forecasting

Resources to download

Below are a range of useful resources to provide support and guidance with cash flow forecasting.  These are available for you to download and keep.

Useful articles and further reading on cash flow forecasting

The following articles provide further information and guidance to support you.

Seven finance questions every charity trustee should ask

Charity board papers - nine tips and one rule

Managing a charity's finances in a high inflation environment

You will find a wealth of other resources, articles and guidance in the financial management and sustainability section of our resource library.

‘Investability’ is much more than a funding strategy; it is about how to put your charity at the forefront to attract interest, investment, and impact for your charity.

On-demand webinar - Investability: Why should I invest time or money in your charity?

Aimed at CEO’s, senior managers, fundraisers, and trustees, this webinar explains ‘Investability’, and why it goes way beyond a funding strategy. Packed with practical insights and ‘how to’ steps, learn how to put your charity at the front of this ground-breaking change and discover how to create unbeatable ways of attracting interest, investment, and impact for your charity.

Watch the recording of Investability: Why should I invest time or money in your charity?

Resources to download

Below are a range of useful resources to provide support and guidance around investability.  These are available for you to download and keep.

Useful articles and reading on investability

The following webinars will provide further information and guidance to support you.

Covering the contract lifecyle

The art of the deal: why bidding and buying are two sides of the same coin

How to write a successful bid

Unrestricted Revenue without Tears

You will also find a wealth of other resources, articles and guidance in the leadership and strategic direction section of our resource library.

Our business planning resources will help you to revisit your approach to strategy and scenario planning and help you achieve twice the results with half the effort.

On-demand webinar - Business Planning for Charities

This webinar covers the ‘new realities’ facing the charity sector – what has changed forever and why you need to revisit your approach to strategy and scenario planning.  It provides a  structured and simple way to gain insights into the future and avoid being ‘blindsided’.  You will learn how to develop a punchy strategy that keeps your charity focused on the ‘things that really matter’ and how to use your strategy as a focus for funders, as well as how to do scenario planning and strategy with half the effort for twice the result!  

Watch the recording of Business Planning for Charities

Resources to download

Below are a range of useful resources to provide support and guidance with business planning for charities.  These are available for you to download and keep.

Useful articles and reading on business planning for charities

The following resources will provide further information and guidance to support you.

Six steps to reworking your charity’s strategy

Questions to ask to help you build your charity's business plan

An introduction to lean management

You will also find a wealth of other resources, articles and guidance in the charity strategy and business planning section of our resource library.

Learn all about good governance; what it is and why it matters, how to improve it and, importantly, how to let your funders know.

On-demand webinar - Good Governance -  why it matters

This webinar covers: 

• Governance – what it is and why it matters;  
• Risk - why it needs to be managed and how it should be managed; 
• Splitting strategic governance from day to day management; 
• How to evaluate how well your charity is governed and; 
• How to improve your governance and most importantly, let your funders know!  

Watch the recording of Good Governance - why it matters

Resources to download

Below are a range of useful resources to provide support and guidance with good governance.  These are available for you to download and keep.

Useful articles and reading on good governance

The following resources will provide further information and guidance to support you.

Guest blog: Desert Island Governance

Do your Trustees know their responsibilities and liabilities?

You will also find a wealth of other resources, articles and guidance in the governance section of our resource library.