While charities always believe in the necessity of  saving costs but in general there is a lack of active drive for it.  We are now experiencing the emergence of increasing number of provider coming up with free services or product.  Charities are even in better position to take advantage  of  free or reduced price services as companies can claim extra benefit (CSR) while serving a charity compared to a company.

After making any buying decision charity should first look at whether it is available FREE and then discounted price for charities. When you exhaust all source to find free/reduced price, take the test drive with your supplier free. Last week, I was in workshop where several suppliers indicated that they are always prepare to allow charities to experience the service free for some period before buying.

Take the example of charity recruitment cost, how much you spend when you to post a charity job advertisement in newspaper or leading job website.  Don’t tell me the costs but you know the answer. You can find several job websites including www.charityJOB4u.co.uk where any charity job advertising in FREE.

Don’t be shy and always ask extra discount from your suppliers. Have you looked at the already available free or extra services with the your existing supplier. If  not then it could be starting point.  Recently, I did the similar with an existing supplier of a charity I am involved and could not find any free bee available with them. Then, we ask whether they can make their company’s charitable donation to us and they agreed immediately.  Extra cash for charitable mission – not bad !

Golam Morshed

Charity Accounting Services

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