Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF) hosted a Charity Symposium on 20 March to allow local charities and community groups to come together and collaborate.

The symposium ‘Future Thinking for Your Charity’ brought together representatives from voluntary organisations across Berkshire to learn about the changing landscape of charity fundraising, with many organisations battling to deliver much needed services in the face of public spending cuts and the current economic climate.

The event was held at the Green Park Conference Centre, Reading, and was sponsored by local solicitors Blandy & Blandy.

Keynote speaker was Eleanor Harrison, CEO of GlobalGiving UK, a charitable crowdfunding platform for grassroots charitable projects.  She spoke about the way that people donate is fundamentally changing. Harrison said:

“GlobalGiving UK is passionate about helping small charities to thrive: for themselves and the communities in which they work.  Helping small charities improve their sustainability through improved online fundraising is a key part of our work.  The invitation by Berkshire Community Foundation to share our learning on crowdfunding for small charities was therefore a perfect fit.”

Rob Wilson MP, Minister for Civil Society and MP for Reading East, also spoke at the event and highlighted the importance of the charitable sector.  He said that the symposium was “exactly the right thing that local charities should be doing” and how he had seen first-hand “the fantastic work that charities, community groups, businesses and so many others do – going the extra mile to help people in need”.

BCF raises funds for, and makes grants to, local charities and community groups addressing need across Berkshire, working with donors to inspire philanthropy and strategic charitable giving.  Last year the Foundation gave over £730,000 to good causes in Berkshire, supporting over 200 groups and helping local charities to thrive.