CharitiesDirect.com is renowned for it's comprehensive databases of financial information about charities and database of charity advisors. Find out more about CaritasData charity products and services.

Features & Articles

Asset allocation and its role in portfolio construction
James Codrington

When a charity’s investment committee interviews fund managers in a beauty parade, the question is often asked as to how much of a portfolio’s return comes from asset allocation. A typical answer might be something in the region of 75%; some fund managers might even quote from a study by three US academics, Brinson, Hood and Beebower 1, that asset allocation drives 92% of performance.

Budgeting for Success
Pesh Framjee

Success and operational performance for a non profit organisation can be very difficult to monitor and evaluate. Success should be measured against the key indicators that reflect the visions and values of the organisation. The strategic plan should have identified the goals and the strategies that the charity will adopt to achieve these goals....

Strategic Planning
Pesh Framjee

I have been asked by my board to develop a strategic plan for our non profit organisation. Should I use a consultant to do this? Where do I start and which way do I go? As the finance director how can I particularly help in this process? Will it be valuable or am I wasting resources?

Dealing with the easy bit first - Strategic planning and more importantly strategic management is valuable and should not be a waste of resources....

Risk Management – A simple framework
Pesh Framjee

In December 1997 the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales published a proposal for a statement of business risk. The Press Release that referred to the “high profile discussion paper” stated that “risk is the Cinderella of financial reporting”. The paper suggests that “companies with publicly traded shares lead the introduction...