Changing the world is easy….finding the support to do it….. that is the hardest part.
Every visionary has faced this problem. The Small Charities Coalition was born out of my solid frustration at being a small charity and having no support. I founded the Male Cancer Awareness Campaign, a tiny charity in 2005 and struggled for two years. It was my view that it should not be this hard to provide social change. I needed direct support, not hand outs or leaflets but a guiding hand to show me the way, advise, support and give me praise. No organization provided that for me.
The love and support of the Directory of Social Change and Media Trust and endless emails from small charities gave me the energy and guidance to give the Coalition birth. Necessity is the mother of all invention.
The Coalition was born. I have to say it would not have been possible without Male Cancer Awareness Campaign; a truly great charity has risked its own survival and growth because it believes in the endless possibilities of Coalition. The trustees have kindly allowed its only member of staff (me) to step over to set up the Small Charities Coalition and backed by the wonderful Tudor Trust, my vision of a direct support framework for small charities is about to become a reality.
I also need to highlight the forward thinking and support to the Coalition from Shelter and Cancer Research UK two of the biggest UK charities. Two large charities giving something back and supporting its smaller charities siblings in provide the underpinning of the support framework. I will be asking the rest of the large charities to follow their lead.
What is the Coalition? Simply put, it’s what ever you want it to be! To me it’s all the small charities in the UK in one room supporting each other, “I have a problem can anyone help me?” Working as a collective we have the skills to help each other. As a group with mass, we have a voice that can be loud and clear! When you join the Coalition you are more than a member, you are a friend helping other friends to achieve their goals.
So what does a direct support frame work look like???
Well imagine a room where your dream resources can be accessed. A room filled with talented, experienced knowledgeable people who work for charities. A room where your questions are answered, your hand taken and guided to where your charity wants to be. A room filled with services, discounts and all the practical help needed to support a small charity.That’s what a direct framework looks like. A website that creates a space where we can simply support and help each other, sharing skills and knowledge and experience and even services e.g. access to meeting rooms; this dream magic room will now be accessible to small charities.
Voice? What will that sound like?
The Coalition will also act as a voice of small charities. Imagine someone speaking up for you and demanding change to support you. To government, business, the public. Someone speaking up for your commitment, hardwork, passion and energy.
So as a small charity, what do I have to do?
The Coalition is FREE!!! No charge. But you have to be a Registered Charity.
You or some on in your organization must donate 24hrs of your time to share skills, experience, talent, knowledge with fellow small charities. In return you can access the key skills, knowledge your organization is missing.
Ask your Trustee board or CEO for permission. And sign up to be a Friend of the Coalition.
You will be given a detailed questionnaire and skills matrix and best of all, your “wish list.”
Important!
Please bear with us. We are starting from scratch, but unlike other startup charities, the Coalition already has a national profile. We are aiming to support at least 35,000 small charities, so it is important we get this right. Once funding is found the website will be developed to start the direct support framework working. But by having you signed up we can start to be your voice, and demand change to support you better.
Doors are already opening. But with all our voices working as one, The Coalition voice has the power to open doors and if not, it can quickly become the annoying broken bell that keeps ringing. Important doors will open, doors that have the power to help all small charities achieve their aims.
Difficulties.
Every small charity has its difficulties, and in every start up charity, the difficulties can seem somewhat magnified. My own journey to get to here has felt similar to the Wright brothers, flying by the seat of your pants, risking everything for something that is needed. Solid blood sweat and tears. Many of you will know how easy it is to stupidly risk your family, friends and health for the sake of the cause you believe in. I believe the Coalition will help small charities to minimise this risk. I have had help and support and belief to help me to achieve my vision. Because somehow, that's how difficulties are overcome.
My personal thanks to the Coalition Governing board, a dynamic group of individuals who have a passion and real heart for charity, their experience and talents are vast, and I am impressed with their dedication, knowledge and enthusiasm for this colossal task that lies ahead of us. This board is truly impressive and I am delighted and excited and lucky that they have committed to this journey. However it’s an exciting journey ahead. Were starting with a complete blank canvas and aim to look after and support and show leadership to 35,000 small and new charities.
So please bear with us, anyone who has ever set up a charity from scratch will know the difficulties and the tedious attention to detail that is incredibly boring but essential at this start up time.
The coalition aims to have its charity number with in a few weeks and New Year aims to be an exciting and memorable one.
May I wish you all a very merry Christmas and hope the New Year brings success and happiness.
Patrick Cox
CEO
Small charities coalition.
