CORPORATE CONTRACTORS INC (CCI)’s Post

Stay head with our latest edition of our #NotforProfit eNews. Discover how the ECCTA and Charities Act 2022 are reshaping charity regulations. From fraud prevention to financial flexibility, we’ve got you covered. This edition summarises the Charity Commission’s latest report, covering income, expenditure, government grants and volunteer numbers. Stay informed and up to date. https://lnkd.in/eyuGtcty #CharityUpdates #CharitySector

An interesting article below from my colleague Nicola Edgar which discusses the importance of road safety awareness amongst children, and Brake, the road safety charity's #BeepBeepDay

How to Protect Yourself Against Potential Abuse: APAC Charity Contacts, Safety Tips, and Support Resources Join us as we discuss important steps to take if you or someone you know is potentially facing abuse. From setting up accounts to contacting charities and the police, we provide valuable information to ensure your safety and support. Together, let's put an end to this harmful situation. #AbusePrevention #SafetyTips #SupportResources #CharityContacts #APAC #EndAbuse #StaySafe #RaiseAwareness #APACCharities #StopAbuse

In our latest charities blog, charities counsel Nicola Evans explores the Home Office’s latest consultation on further detail of ‘Martyn’s law’, as part of which requirements would be imposed on those responsible for qualifying premises to take precautionary steps to mitigate impacts of a potential terrorist attack.     The consultation offers an opportunity for charities, and others likely to be affected, to offer feedback to help ensure public safety without imposing undue burdens.   Read the blog in full, here: https://bit.ly/49JNKLw   #charity #charitylaw #charitiesact #MartynsLaw

In an article for New Law Journal, Liz Brownsell, Partner and Head of Charities at Birketts, examines the Charity Commission’s powers and how not to fall foul of them. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/esDr78pc #CharityCommission #LegalInsight #CharityLaw

Interesting bit of info from OSCR. I asked them if they had taken any action against any Scottish charity trustees since 2010. They told me they had removed six. I then asked them what other enforcement action they had taken against those trustees. Their answer was, none, because they are not a prosecuting authority. They couldn't tell me if the police had taken action against any of those six trustees, but if they had done it would be in the public record, and it would only be for criminal activity. That's only six trustees out of 25,084 charities, over 14 years. Less than half a trustee per year and nothing bad happened to them. They were just removed as trustees of their current charity. What this tells us is that the risk involved in being a charity trustee in Scotland is very, very low, and if something does go wrong, the impact would be very low unless there was outright criminality. (Assuming OSCR are telling the truth, and it's inconceivable that they aren't).

Did you read about the recent Hilton family trust contest? My Kiplinger article explores the importance of clear communication and estate planning to avoid family conflict. In the case of the Hilton family, Barron Hilton left 97% of his estate to charity, which conflicted with his children's wishes. By following the tips in this article, you can help protect your loved ones and ensure your legacy is preserved. Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/g2yV7qUk

Charity scam. Completing due diligence before making charitable donations is always a good idea. Are your parents and grandparents doing the same? What about your clients? Estate and Elder Law Attorneys, this would be a helpful topic for your clients and their families - newsletters, social media, webinars - not to scare; just how to protect. #PostalInspectors #SecurityAndCrimePrevention

The England and Wales High Court decision in the case of Marjorie Thompson is a salient reminder of the importance of being specific about what you want to achieve with your philanthropy including which causes you want to support, and the outcomes you expect. It serves a reminder to choose the right charitable vehicle to carry out your objectives. The case highlights the challenges executors can face if over time an intended charity no longer exists or changes its name or purpose. Using a Donor advised fund or charitable trusts may provide tax benefits but also ensures that your assets are used and donated according to your wishes. Professional advice should also be sought when looking to leave large legacies to charity, so it is important to work with a solicitor to draft or review your will, trust documents, and any other legal instruments. Consider working with organisations such as our partner The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) who specialise in philanthropy, can provide strategic advice on effective giving and help align your donations with your goals. Talk to the organisations you plan to support to ensure they understand your intentions and can fulfil them. And finally make sure your family members and the executors of your estate understand your philanthropic goals and are committed to carrying them out. By following these steps, you can ensure that you are in control of your charitable gifting and it is not left to the courts to interpret your wishes. #CharitiesAidFoundation #Philanthropy

"Go forth, advocate, be stroppy, be proud and be proud of being woke. The country needs this sector more than any of you could possibly believe." We should all take note of this rallying call by Paul Streets, along with his warning that charities have lost their "radical identities" due to over-dependence on state funding and contradictory guidance from the Charity Commission on how and when they can speak out. I see this all the time in my work - charities trying to tread the line between saying what they feel they need to, keeping funders/donors happy, and avoiding falling foul of regulation. For smaller charities especially, if you lack the time to properly weigh up whether to speak out and what the risks are, and lack the expertise to make sense of the confusing guidance, all too often you end up simply staying quiet. Just like the system wants you to. We all need to remember and rediscover a bit more of that "purposeful anger". After all, we're not here to deliver contracted services, we're here to change the world. https://lnkd.in/eyR2GUKD