This week brings news of funding for the sector, instead of funding cuts. The government announces the winners in its £15m community organisers scheme; Liverpool Council provides £19m for its voluntary sector funding pot, and DCLG gives the Church of England £5m to set up a new charity.  

Charity Commission has 'no jurisdiction' over board member's payment from Amnesty
 

The Charity Commission has said it has no jurisdiction over Amnesty International making a valedictory payment of £530,000 to its former secretary general - now a Charity Commission board member - because the part of Amnesty that made the payment is not a charity.  

Locality to deliver government community organiser scheme
 

Locality has been selected to lead the government's £15m programme to recruit and train 5,000 community organisers.

Liverpool Council safeguards sector funding in budget proposals
 

Liverpool City Council has safeguarded £19m in funding for its voluntary and community groups and provided a £1m hardship transition fund in its 2011/12 budget proposal despite having to make over £91m of cuts over that period. 

Unite threatens industrial action at care charity
 

Learning disabilities charity Norwood has denied trade union claims that it broke off negotiations over controversial staff pay cuts after just three minutes.

Wellcome Trust invests in online lender Wonga
 

The Wellcome Trust has added Wonga, the online short-term loan firm, to its £13bn investment portfolio.

CoE gets £5m government funding to set up inter-faith projects
 

The government has given the Church of England £5m to set up a charity which promotes inter-faith community projects.

Mergers - a legal roadmap
 

Moira Protani outlines the key considerations for charities thinking about a merger.

Networking tips for finance directors
 

The worlds of finance and networking share many of the same qualities, says Heather White. Really.

Age UK's first financial year
 

Age UK, the charity formed from the merger of Help the Aged and Age Concern England, has released its first annual report. Group finance director Charles Scott discusses the results.

Big Society Bank should offer grants, as well as loans
 

The government's recent document on the Big Society Bank makes clear that it will not give out grants. Daniela Barone Soares, chief executive of Impetus Trust, argues that this will limit the Bank's capacity in the sector. 

Nurturing our charities in a time of cuts
 

After losing a grant which provided 12 per cent of its income, June O'Sullivan provides an insight from the Paddington Farm Trust on how the current government regime is affecting its activities.