Get your ducks in a row before trouble strikes!

Too many people start a great charitable endeavour. A good, much needed idea, however, they move forward before they “get all their ducks in a row.” Too many people start a charity and think its not a business. All charities are businesses and until you realise that, real success will elude you.

What does getting all your ducks in a row really mean?

It’s about making sure that you have a firm foundation to build on, firstly it’s about making sure your idea is needed and it’s about building a core team to help you achieve your goal. Choose those with ability as well as those who share your passion, so other people in business, teachers, solicitors and barristers, those in financial services, etc

Once your team is in place, things like policies and procedures follow. Some examples are: financial, safeguarding (and not just for children), volunteer, health and safety, to name to few and that’s just for starters because the job is much bigger than you’ll think.

Don’t forget risk assessments because every area of what you carries a risk, staff, volunteers, money, activities/projects are just examples the list is endless. Your risk assessments will show possible supporters, grant givers and supporters that you understand all possible risks and how you aim to mitigate these.

N.B: All of your policies, procedures, risk assessments will need to be reviewed to be regularly, at least annually. Consultants can help you complete an organisational audit and while this costs, its worth putting this into your annual budget.

Then you’ll need insurances for example: public liability, employee liability (even if you have volunteers), trustee/director liability to name a few.

Once you’ve got all these in place you’ll need a robust business plan. However, you can’t write this until you’ve sat down with an accountant and worked out annual costs, planned your income and fundraising strategy as well as your PR for the coming year. When all of the above has been completed then you can put together your business plan in the knowledge that you’re ready to face all possible challenges. I always recommend a rolling business plan because this means an annual review and an opportunity to make any changes that are necessary. It also keeps the team focused on the goals and work.

Finally, everything completed your ready to roll out your work to the public.

Many start without building a foundation, they try and do these vital pieces of work after making their work public. To those individuals and those supporting I’d say beware you have failed to get your ducks in a row and trouble will likely strike without expert help.

Alison Cross-Jones
Consultant