The Beacon Awards celebrate the work of individuals who have set standards of best practice in philanthropy. With principal sponsor J.P.Morgan and additional sponsorship provided by City Bridge Trust and Pears Foundation, the Beacon Awards 2013 will recognise outstanding examples of effective giving which demonstrate how philanthropy can bring about positive change, have a significant impact and inspire others to give. Read more ...

The Philanthropy Fellowship website goes live. The Philanthropy Fellowship comprises emerging and established philanthropists with the means to give time, money and expertise to meet local needs in a way that has a positive and lasting impact on their communities.

CFN is working in partnership with Localgiving.com and sixteen community foundations across England until March 2013 to deliver a strand of the Social Action Fund programme. The Fund recognises community foundations' track record in supporting the role of grassroots local voluntary and community groups in creating thriving communities. This programme will deliver a range of social action activities including the mobilisation of volunteers and contribute to the long-term sustainability of local charities and voluntary through their setting of a web presence on Localgiving.com

The prospect of a curb on tax relief for major donations is consigned to history for now, but the sector should not assume it has disappeared forever, says Matthew Bowcock, Chair of CFN