Job funding in a charity

Unwell2023

Hello,

Can someone explain funding in a charity? (in reference to paid work). 

How can someone in a supposed 'permanent' much needed position resign and it be said well we don't have funding yet for anyone to take their place. 

I'm just curious does the funding come from the public donations? board of Trustees? government? is it like a bid every new financial year but then I don't understand if someone is considered in a permanent/long standing role to begin with where the issue of funding comes in.

Thank you for any insights.

prettyandfluffy

It depends on the charity, you will need to provide more information before anyone can answer that.

as an example, I used to work for a charity that received funding from central Government, local government and businesses at a National and local level.  Funding could be towards core expenses (overheads), a particular kind of initiative or project or a particular post (member of staff).

Brie

Charity funding can disappear in an instant depending on who's donating to them.  Government funding often has to be applied for every year and long term commitments don't need to be honoured.  This is why large organisations like theatre/opera in London have been surprised by very long term funding being now made on the condition that they move to Manchester or somewhere not in the south.  

Likewise private funding can be withdrawn on a whim.  One I am aware of is dependent on them only working to the benefit of people in a very specific post code.  Go outside of that and it's all bets off.  Certain jobs essential to the core functions of this charity would need to become volunteer roles if the funding was removed.  I wouldn't be surprised if occasionally a charity will pay for an essential role but only if cousin George is doing the job.  

Marcon

Unwell2023 said:

How can someone in a supposed 'permanent' much needed position resign and it be said well we don't have funding yet for anyone to take their place. 

I'm not sure what you mean by 'how'. The answer is 'quite easily' if, say, there's a recruitment freeze in place such that anyone who resigns can't be replaced until funding becomes available. It's not just charities who have this sort of problem - public sector bodies regularly put a stop on new hires, and simply have to do the best with whatever they've already got in house.

Unwell2023

Marcon said:

I'm not sure what you mean by 'how'. The answer is 'quite easily' if, say, there's a recruitment freeze in place such that anyone who resigns can't be replaced until funding becomes available. It's not just charities who have this sort of problem - public sector bodies regularly put a stop on new hires, and simply have to do the best with whatever they've already got in house.

Sorry does this mean they could force an unskilled / unwilling person into the role? 

Andy_L

Unwell2023 said:

Marcon said:

I'm not sure what you mean by 'how'. The answer is 'quite easily' if, say, there's a recruitment freeze in place such that anyone who resigns can't be replaced until funding becomes available. It's not just charities who have this sort of problem - public sector bodies regularly put a stop on new hires, and simply have to do the best with whatever they've already got in house.

Sorry does this mean they could force an unskilled / unwilling person into the role? 

If its an employee who has the "other reasonable duties" clause in their contract then they could force an unwilling person into the role, but that person would have the option to resign

Undervalued

Unwell2023 said:

Hello,

Can someone explain funding in a charity? (in reference to paid work). 

How can someone in a supposed 'permanent' much needed position resign and it be said well we don't have funding yet for anyone to take their place. 

I'm just curious does the funding come from the public donations? board of Trustees? government? is it like a bid every new financial year but then I don't understand if someone is considered in a permanent/long standing role to begin with where the issue of funding comes in.

Thank you for any insights.

Quite easily.

If the person had been in post for many years there would be considerable costs in making them redundant or otherwise lawfully terminating their employment. However if they resign it is a good opportunity to consider if replacing them is the best use of resources going forwards. 

Marcon

Unwell2023 said:

Marcon said:

I'm not sure what you mean by 'how'. The answer is 'quite easily' if, say, there's a recruitment freeze in place such that anyone who resigns can't be replaced until funding becomes available. It's not just charities who have this sort of problem - public sector bodies regularly put a stop on new hires, and simply have to do the best with whatever they've already got in house.

Sorry does this mean they could force an unskilled / unwilling person into the role? 

Yes. Happens all the time.

Unwell2023

Aha thank you, I think it would be considered a small charity that operates within a set area of the county to a particular age-range to the earlier posters. Does similar work to a nationally recognised name. 

My friend and another person are fixed term'ers covering two people in same dept off sick protected under the equality act and who are considered permanent, they keep getting dates extended to cover the sickness (no problem except my friends rising fear of getting stuck in a job they are not sure how they feel post Christmas) just in a third fold situation, a job has come up in another part of the charity that the other person/temp is interested in, (my friend wouldn't stand in their way)  the job is front facing and vital to the essential day to day running, currently this role-holder who is leaving has served a good number of years also as a permanent staff member so it is slightly odd as to why the wait for funding in March if the role has been covered a number of years leading up to the depart which is or going to create a vacancy.  (neither is there any job advert floating about mind!)

Sorry it is just hard to explain and tied. As time has gone out, it's come out the people off sick used to do other stuff, guess the risk is the extra role somehow gets split between the two temps in an interim period, what will be, will be. My friend is in two minds to see what happens at next renewal date which the other temp is now making waves about.

lincroft1710

Charities are like any other business, they can only operate within their budget. If they don't they will be in big trouble. If the money isn't available to fund a replacement, then the charity has to make the best use of available resources.

cr1mson

If the person has been doing the role for more than 4 years they may have become permanent by default assuming various conditions are met. So if a permanent member of staff leaves for whatever reason they may decide a fixed term contract may be more suitable going forward as easier to match with funding,