With the increasing pressures on funding in the charity sector, Welsh charities have been invited to attend a free event in Cardiff to explore the implications of the changing funding environment they now face and raise any issues they might have with key decision makers and leading advisors from the third sector.
Representatives from the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), the Charities Finance Group, Welsh Government, Big Lottery Fund, Broomfield & Alexander and Centurion VAT Specialists will be meeting on 24th April to participate in a wide ranging and open discussion.
The practical difficulties the third sector is experiencing in terms of financial management, audit and accounting concerns and the VAT pitfalls that charities are falling into will be raised by panellists. There will also be an opportunity for those working in fund management and procurement policy to place into context the drivers behind this changing funding culture.
Liz Maher, Director of Centurion VAT Specialists, the largest specialised VAT consultancy in Wales, said: “This is a rare opportunity for charities to discuss funding issues with such an influential group. These are practical ‘on the ground’ problems which build on the backdrop to funding issues in the sector which were with the Wales Audit Office report on “Grants Management in Wales” in November 2011.
“From a VAT perspective we see increasing issues arising as charities fail to recognise that they are now sometimes delivering services as a business activity rather than being in receipt of grant funding.”
Sarah Case, Charity Director, at Broomfield & Alexander said: “This is a unique and fantastic event with over 60 welsh charities currently attending and the response to date has been overwhelming.
“I hope that by sitting down together we will be able to encourage people to raise their queries and ultimately help save Welsh charities money that would be better spend elsewhere. Following the event we will be producing a report on the funding challenges faced by Welsh charities, and the opinions of policy makers, charities and practitioners.”