26th October 2020Planning for a strong 2021 – strategies charities can put in place now

In the past few months, the pandemic has had a seismic impact on charities, and reinforced some of the wider challenges charities face. While dealing with the immediate impacts of coronavirus, it is also vital that charities continue to plan ahead and work towards a stronger 2021.

As part of this planning, there are a number of different support packages available – from Government initiatives to wider industry grants. For example, Soho Theatre was recently awarded £898,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF). There are also wider Government support initiatives, which are changing on a regular basis – if you are a charity and unsure on how to benefit or apply for a support package, please get in touch.

We’ve outlined an example of how one charity we work with has been able to benefit from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) and share some of our thoughts on planning for a stronger year ahead.

Soho Theatre case study

As part of the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund, Soho Theatre have been awarded £898,000 to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future. This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery from the pandemic.

Ordinarily Soho Theatre’s work plays to live audiences of 250,000 audiences a year in their Dean Street venue, at the Edinburgh Fringe and beyond. Since their temporary closure due to Covid-19 they have re-launched their online platform Soho Theatre On Demand, which hosted the phenomenally successful live recording of Fleabag. Soho Theatre are also working towards the opening of an exciting second venue, a “local theatre with a national profile” in Walthamstow, currently slated to open in 2022.

Helping the sector to bounce back better

At HW Fisher, we are passionate about supporting our clients and friends in the industry as best we can. In addition to making the most of support packages available, we’ve summarised our top advice that we’ve been sharing with clients:

• Regular forecasting is essential – take time to ensure regular communications to trustees to discuss any variances to normal procedures. We have been having conversations with some clients on a weekly basis since March, and this remains important.
• Take a realistic view of income – this is key, and it is important to update on a regular basis, particularly as Government guidelines continue to change and evolve.
• Explore the potential for a digital fundraising strategy – with traditional fundraising avenues either closed or made logistically difficult by the longer-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, charities throughout the country have turned to digital methods to make up vital revenue. There has never been a better time to think outside the box…
• Research government schemes – these are changing regularly, if you’re not sure what you are eligible to claim, please get in touch

Find out more about our work with charities and not-for-profit organisations here.