GuideStar UK enables charities to get closer to Local Government funds in November launch of Web Application.

Howard Lake | 27 October 2006 | Newswire

GuideStar UK’s new Local Government Intelligence Service will allow charities to provide grant and procurement decision makers with key information used to perform regular due diligence.
The initiative intends to reduce the reporting burden on charities who can now store all relevant information on line and in one place, as well as helping charities not currently engaged in Local Government contracts to become more aware of the processes involved.
The application will initially be available to charities currently registered with the Charity Commission but will eventually be expanded to include other third sector organisations.
Les Hems, Director of Development and External Relations said GuideStar UK is doing its bit to help deliver the objectives of The Compact by helping the third sector engage with key audiences such as local government. We will continue to add value to the information we hold for the benefit of both sectors.”
Access to certain charity information will be restricted to registered subscribers from local government and other public sector bodies.
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Notes to Editors
1. Charities are being invited to provide more detailed information on their organisation through new document upload and performance information sections. Please visit www.guidestar.org.uk/localintelligence for more information.
2. GuideStar UK’s website, www.guidestar.org.uk was launched on December 12th 2005. It presents information on the activities, organsiation and finances of all 168,000 registered charities in England and Wales. It is free for members of the public and charities.
3. The users of the GuideStar UK website include:
• Members of the general public looking for services, help and information provided by charities.
• Donors, grantmakers, local & central government agencies that fund charities. Representative bodies and professionals that support the work of charities.
• Charities themselves not only as a means of communication but also for benchmarking and comparative purposes.
4. The main sources of data for the GuideStar UK website are the reports and accounts that charities file at the Charity Commission. There is no additional reporting burden, but charities can supplement their own entries for free by adding links, press releases and information on their latest activities and achievements directly onto the website.
5. The content and design of the GuideStar UK website has been developed in close consultation with charities and representatives from other user constituencies including donors, grantmakers, government departments, academic researchers, media and the general public.
6. GuideStar UK is an independent charity established in March 2003 to promote and support the work of UK charities by creating a comprehensive and easily accessible source of information about their activities and finances. This information is made available free to the public through a website. It is the first venture of its kind in the UK.
7. In March 2003 GuideStar UK was awarded a grant of £2.85m over 3 years from HM Treasury’s Invest to Save Budget. The Charity Commission and the Active Communities Directorate of the Home Office were partners in GuideStar UK’s application. GuideStar UK has also benefited from the support of charities, charitable trusts and individual philanthropists.
Contact:
Jo O’Brien
Communication and User Services Manager
GuideStar UK
Telephone: 020 7240 1969
E-mail: jo*******@gu*******.uk
Website: www.guidestar.org.uk

About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale. He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.