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The saga that is GuideStar takes another turn as the Data Services enterprise is placed into administration. Meanwhile the Charity Commission's new boss warns that if charities are to survive the coming cuts they need to stop relying on grant funding and adopt a 'contract mentality'.

GuideStar Data Services falls into administration

GuideStar Data Services CIC has been placed into administration seven months after it was assimilated into the Directory of Social Change.

New Commission chief urges contract mentality

The voluntary sector must move from a grants mentality to a contract mentality, the new chief executive of the Charity Commission told the Charity Finance Live conference yesterday.

Decentralisation minister calls on councils to strengthen ties with charity sector

Councils should make best use of the voluntary sector's ability to deliver effective and innovative local services when managing future budgets, decentralisation minister Greg Clark said in a speech to local authority chief executives.

Sector prepares proposals on lifetime legacies as govt working group stalls

The government has abandoned a working group to investigate the potential to lifetime legacies, but sector groups are pressing ahead with a proposal for the Treasury to consider their introduction.

The Gates visit Downing Street to thank UK for 'history of generosity'

Bill and Melinda Gates visited Downing Street yesterday during a busy trip to the UK to thank the country for its "history of generosity" and its commitment to maintain international aid.

Report highlights billions lost to developing countries through tax evasion

A report detailing the billions of pounds lost to developing countries as a result of tax evasion has been launched.

Grants and assets

In their final article on the Funding Commission's emerging recommendations, Fiona Ellis and Richard Gutch look at funding from trusts and foundations and the National Lottery.

Big Society...Simples!

Big Society blogger Gordon Hunter asks whether the Big Society agenda is just too simple to implement.

Don't miss the boat on public sector outsourcing

Opportunities for public service delivery will arise from the government spending review, says David Davison, but what consequences will there be for pensions?

Evening Standard labels have-a-go heroes as charity workers, not chuggers

The Evening Standard, long a vocal critic of street fundraising in London, was forced to change its tune last week after two of the robbers who foiled the jewellery store robbery in Kensington turned out to be on-duty chuggers.

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