Every month we compile a list of useful events & surveys for charities and community groups. Take a look at our list for March.
You can find this and more on our newsletter – sign up at the bottom of this page!
Events
Conferences and forums
CVS Development Workers Network
Join Superhighways and colleagues from other London CVSs, to meet and learn from each other and share useful tips and resources covering all things tech, digital and data.
Thursday 27 March 1.30pm to 3pm
Register here.
Charity finance and governance
Introduction to Budgeting and Financial Management for Charities, hosted by Social Practice.
This practical and engaging 1-hour online training session is designed to introduce charity staff to the fundamentals of budgeting and financial management. Whether you’re new to setting budgets or looking to refine your financial skills, this session will provide a solid foundation for understanding how to manage and allocate resources effectively within a charity. Led by financial experts, this session will cover key topics such as:
– The basics of charity budgeting: What to consider and why it matters
– How to create and manage a realistic and sustainable budget
– Understanding key financial reports and how they inform decision-making
– Practical tips for monitoring and controlling costs
– Best practices for ensuring financial transparency and accountability
This session is ideal for charity staff who are involved in managing budgets or who want to gain a clearer understanding of how financial management impacts the overall success of their organisation. No prior financial experience required! Register here.
Tuesday 8 April, 11am – 12pm
Charity Financial Resilience, hosted by Social Practice.
This session is designed to provide valuable insights and practical strategies that will help you enhance your charity’s financial resilience and set it on a path to long-term sustainability. Key topics to explore in the session include:
– Understanding charity-specific financial risks and opportunities
– Strengthening internal controls and governance
– Effective budgeting and forecasting for uncertain times
– Diversifying income streams for enhanced financial stability
– Best practices for financial reporting and transparency
Register here.
Tuesday 15 April, 11am – midday
Alternative Business Models
This is a three-part online course from Stir to Action. This training is for CVS bodies, local development groups, and councils.
Starts on Thursday 27 March
Mastering Fundraising
Get Grants – FREE Introduction to Legacy Fundraising Workshop
This workshop will highlight what legacy fundraising entails and provide you with a sample of the crucial information for improving your income from legacies.
In this friendly 60-minute session, you will have the chance to:
– Get an introduction to what Legacy Fundraising is all about
– Meet Get Grants Experts
– Get Top Tips and expert advice
– Build your confidence and be inspired!
Book online here.
Monday 7 April 2025 1pm to 2pm
Get Grants – FREE Introduction to Bid Writing Workshop
In this friendly 60-minute session, you will have the chance to:
– Get an introduction to what Bid Writing for Charities and Community Groups is all about
– Meet our Get Grants Experts
– Get Top Tips and expert advice
– Build your confidence and be inspired!
Book online here.
Tuesday 8 April 2025 12 noon to 1pm
Preparing your Budget (for funding applications)
Part of the Mastering Money Month series, this in-person event is open to Community Southwark members.
Venue: Community Southwark, 11 Market Place, Bermondsey, SE16 3UQ
Tuesday 25 March 2025, 9.30am to 12 noon
Free communication workshops – storytelling for grant applications
The Saltways is running a series of free communications workshops designed specifically for non-profit organisations. These hands-on sessions will cover creating content on your phone, crafting compelling content for fundraising and grant applications, and discovering ethical and impactful videomaking tips.
Visit The Saltways’ website for more details and to register.
Video Storytelling For Grant Applications
Stand out with compelling video evidence in your applications. The online training includes: insights from grant funders, impactful storytelling techniques, technical tips for professional results, and a free guide.
Find out more and register here.
Thursday 3 April 12 noon to 1pm
Data & Engagement
Qualitative data analysis
Book a spot with Superhighways and Datawise in an Understanding qualitative analysis training session on Tuesday 25 March 10am to 12.30pm.
Cyber security basics: an introduction to cybersecurity for everyone
If you are a small UK based community group, you might be wondering how to protect your organisation from cyber threats. Cyber security is not only important for big businesses, but also for small charities and non-profits that rely on technology to operate and communicate.
Register here.
Tuesday 8 April 2pm to 3pm
Unlock the Power of Copilot for Fundraising
Communitylinks Bromley is running a bite-sized 40-minute online training session for small charities or voluntary groups on how Microsoft Copilot can revolutionise your approach to fundraising and save you time! You’ll learn:
– Efficient Fundraising Strategies: Leverage Copilot’s AI capabilities to streamline your fundraising campaigns.
– Personalised Donor Engagement: Use Copilot to create personalised communication that resonates with your donors.
– Summarising text: Harness the power of AI to summarise text for applications and social media.
– Interactive Session: Engage with practical examples and get your questions answered in real-time.
Book your place here.
Wednesday 9 April 5pm to 6pm
Power BI User group
This is a peer learning group for local organisations developing their use of Power BI for data analysis and reporting. This meeting is taking place online..
Tuesday 29 April 2025, 9.30am to 10.30am
Charity Marketing
Let’s play with Canva AI: An introduction to Magic Studio for small charities
Canva’s Magic Studio is a set of apps to help you easily create, transform and reformat your content using the power of AI. This short, practical online training will help you learn more about Magic Studio in creating and editing designs using Canva.
Wednesday 26 March, 10am to 12 noon
Accessibility in the environment and workplace
Access Sustainability Advice Service (ASAS) on behalf of City Bridge Foundation and The Centre for Accessible Environments is offering free training sessions called Managing Access and Inclusion for London’s charities, not for profits and CIC’s.
The sessions cover the following topics-
– Principles of inclusive design
– Understanding different access needs and how to make your buildings and services more inclusive.
– Equality Act & legislation
– Access guide, access audit & design appraisal
– Support and resources for London based charities
This session is interactive, and discussion is encouraged between participants.
There are two upcoming sessions in March and April.
ASAS Training Managing Access and Inclusion
Online, Wednesday 26 March 10am-12 noon.
Signup form here.
ASAS Training Managing Access and Inclusion
In-person at CAE head office address – 240 City Rd, London EC1V 3TJ.
Signup form here.
Wednesday 23 April 10am-12 noon.
Wellbeing at Work for Charities 2025
Online Conference, Thursday 3 April hosted by Directory of Social Change.
Please note, this training is at a cost. Tickets can be purchased on their website here.
Directory of Social Change have a wide variety of training opportunities available on the website here.
Free online and in-person workshops supporting BME communities
Voice4Change Catalyst Programme, funded by the City Bridge Foundation and the National Lottery Community Fund, is a multi-year project designed to develop resilience and influence of the Black and Minoritised Ethnic (BME) sector.
They support BME communities through free online and in-person workshops, tailored 121 support, resource sharing and signposting and networking opportunities.
Register here for Cracking the Code: Navigating Opportunities with Local Government.
Online, Tuesday, 25 March 12noon to 1:30pm
Register here for the Partnership and Networking Online Workshop.
Online, Tuesday 15 April, 12noon to 1pm
Visit Voice4Change for more events listings and register here.
On-demand webinar from The Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies
Take a look at their most recent joint webinar with the Business Support Service where they provide an insight to the free advice and guidance they can offer to you throughout your business journey; alongside a detailed explanation of how the CIC model operates and some great tips on how to complete a successful CIC application.
Thinking of setting up a CIC? Take a look at our recent webinar – GOV.UK.
Research and surveys
Authoring Our Own Stories – Recruiting Peer Researchers
Partnership for Young London is recruiting peer researchers aged 13 to 25 who identify as being young women of African, African Caribbean or Dual Heritage, to take our youth voice project forward in 2025. We are using creative activities to develop a research project that looks at what it means to be a ‘Strong Black Woman’. We want to explore how strength enriches the lives of Black and Brown women and where being strong acts as a stereotype of Black and Brown women that negatively impacts their wellbeing. Peer researchers will have a chance to learn new skills, meet new people and have their voices heard by decision makers! This project starts on Saturday 26 April and ends on Saturday 13 December 2025. Peer researchers will receive vouchers for taking part in the project.
Click here to read more about the project and for further information please contact: sandra.vacciana@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
