Icon: a kaleidoscope of opinion from experts
  

Articles

WHEN WE WANT TO clear up confusion, share new theories that set the world to rights, or just pass on good stories, this is where we write...

Begging for laughs

Eduardo Jauregui Ed Jáuregui: Humour Consultant
CHARITIES ARE PERPETUALLY in need of two things. One is our piggy banks, the other is a sense of humour... More

Beware people who rate charities

David Bonbright David Bonbright: Director of accountability organization, Keystone
CHARITY-PROFILING WEBSITES can mislead donors - because they don't review the actual work charities do... More

The best charity membership schemes

Federica Dispenza Federica Dispenza, Intelligent Giving Researcher
We've scoured the membership schemes of the country's top charities, to reveal the most exciting - and best-value - options... More

What charities are good at

Simon Fanshawe Simon Fanshawe: writer, broadcaster, comedian, charity chair
HOW JUDE LAW, Winston Churchill and a handful of politicians can show you what to expect from charities... More

Why street fundraising works

Alan Gosschalk Alan Gosschalk, Fundrasing Director, Shelter
SOME PEOPLE HAVE very strong feelings about face-to-face fundraising, but charities keep on doing it. Why? Simply because it works! More

Charitable sheep

Freddy Gray Bruce Kent, Britain's best-known peace campaigner
CHARITIES ARE BY THEIR NATURE conservative. They're not allowed to be political. That should change. More

When charities aren't charities

Nick Seddon Nick Seddon, Author, Who Cares
LOTS OF BIG CHARITIES DEPEND on government cash to survive. And that's not a good thing for charities as a whole... More

The missionary position again?

Ceri Dingle Ceri Dingle, Director, WorldWrite
SEVERAL WESTERN AID agencies seem to think Africans are stupid. It's time we started treating them with a bit more respect... More

Why charities will improve

Geoff Mulgan Geoff Mulgan: Founder, Demos thinktank
ONLY A FEW YEARS AGO charities had few obligations to account for what they did... More

Banish begging blues

Adam Rothwell Adam Rothwell, Intelligent Giving Researcher
FEELING GUILTY when passing a beggar on a freezing winter's night? Salve your conscience once and for all by following these five steps... More

"Thousands were duped"

Anonymous A London-based Senior Detective (name withheld)
I ONCE INVESTIGATED a woman who convinced the shops and shoppers on a city high street that she was fundraising... More

Football's big guns caught offside

Neill Ghosh Neill Ghosh, Lead Researcher, Intelligent Giving
CHELSEA AND MANCHESTER United are the unrivalled 'Big Two' in the Barclays Premiership, but when it comes to giving money to charity, neither has their shooting boots on... More

No funny business with Comic Relief

Adam Rothwell Adam Rothwell, Features Editor, Intelligent Giving
COMIC RELIEF APPEARS TO BE a good grant-giving charity that deserves your support. We explain why... More

What on (Live) Earth is going on?

Adam Rothwell Adam Rothwell, Features Editor, Intelligent Giving
WHAT IS LIVE EARTH FOR? We don't know. And neither does anyone else... More

Four things wrong with Pudsey

Adam Rothwell Adam Rothwell, Intelligent Giving Researcher
WHEN WE WROTE this article, Children in Need was a pretty untransparent charity. Not any more. But if you want to see what we used to think, click on... More

Five things you might not know about poppies

Heather Walker Heather Walker, Intelligent Giving researcher
WHAT ARE YOU GIVING TO when you buy a poppy? We explain all.... More

Five people who don't like us

Dave Pitchford Dave Pitchford, Managing Editor, Intelligent Giving
IT'S NOT EASY being a charity researcher. Here we reveal some of the tirades we've been subject to over the past few months... More

World AIDS Day: what's it all about?

Heather Walker Heather Walker, Intelligent Giving researcher
THERE'S MORE TO AIDS DAY than just wearing a red ribbon. Let us explain... More