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The Big Fund has published the eligibility criteria for the government's Transition Fund and is now accepting applications. RNIB chair Kevin Carey believes the sector has to think big if it is to have any chance of solving the biggest problems. And the economic downturn is affecting philanthropy, according to the latest payroll giving figures.

£100m Transition Fund opens for business

The government's £100m Transition Fund for service delivery organisations in England that are facing cuts to their public sector funding, opens for applications today.

RNIB chair wants to grow RNIB Group into a £500m-turnover operation

RNIB chair Kevin Carey has an ambition to grow the RNIB Group into an enterprise with turnover of half a billion pounds.

Payroll giving falls by a quarter

The value of payroll giving has fallen by more than a quarter, taking up to £27m out of charity pockets, according to new research.

Pre-existing relationships are key to partnership success, finds Commission survey

Pre-existing relationships and compatibility of organisational aims were found to share the credit for successful partnerships in a survey of small charities published by the Charity Commission today.

Heritage Lottery Fund boosts investment by £45m

The Heritage Lottery Fund has an extra £45m to play with next year, the funder has revealed today.

Government pledges £10m in UK aid towards Unicef mosquito nets scheme for Ghana

The government has pledged £10m to support a Unicef programme which aims to protect 4.7 million people in Ghana from malaria.

A group of celebrities including Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake and Usher have joined a campaign to abstain from social media from 1 December until $1m has been raised for US charity Keep a Child Alive.

Charities that have staff on joint contracts with an external supplier may have to pay more VAT following a recent tribunal decision.

The Big Lottery Fund has partnered with ITV to distribute £3.6m of special grants to new community projects in England, Scotland and Wales in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Pants to Poverty, the ethical fashion social enterprise, is to launch a new bond that aims to raise £250,000 to fund its working capital requirements for the foreseeable future.

Surviving spending cuts: the American way

David Shaw examines a new organisational model from the US that could work just as well here.

Legal rights of volunteers

Volunteers are protected by law just like employees says Martyn Turner.

International aid is just a matter of geography

Niki May Young believes the need for international aid is greater than the need for localism.

The foggy times of a novice charity professional

Beth Yorath wrestles with her new role in the sector as she works on the frontline in Romania and asks you to spare a thought for the little guys.

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