Pro bono services and free resources for charities
Proud to be have been supporting charities to thrive for more than 35 years.
It's Volunteers' Week 2025!
This week it's all about our fabulous volunteers - incredible professionals who generously give their time and share their skills to support small charities across the UK.
At Cranfield Trust our work simply wouldn't be possible without the dedication of our amazing volunteers and we're truly grateful.
From all of us working at the Trust and on behalf of all of the charities you support and their beneficiaries a very big THANK YOU.
Watch the thank you video message from Amanda Tincknell, Cranfield Trust CEO
Our #CharityManagementMonth may be over for this year, but our support never ends
Thank you to everyone who got involved with #CharityManagementMonth again this May, we really hope you had the opportunity to learn something new to become a stronger and resilient leader and manager.
Throughout the month we shared a wealth of resources and information, including a range of brand new resources, guidance on hot topics and our brand new Blueprints for charity managers.
But don't worry if you missed it, we've created a new Charity Management Toolkit, pulling together all of the resources we shared during the month so you can take a look at a time that suits you.
'Hot' resources, guides, and on-demand webinars
Our 'What's hot' spotlight this month is our #CharityManagementMonth webpage as lots of charity leaders, managers and trustees accessed our content throughout May to help strengthen their organisations.
On this page you'll find practical guides on charity leadership and governance, expert webinars covering finance, people management, strategic planning and impact, free templates to support day to day management activities and insightful blogs from sector experts.
Don't miss our next FREE webinar on AI for charities - it's going to be a hit!
Charities of all shapes and sizes are facing two big challenges: rising demand and shrinking budgets. Communicating clearly, both externally and internally, has never mattered more.
In this practical, confidence-boosting webinar, PR and communications specialist trainer, Emma Ewing, will show you how AI language tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can help save time, sharpen messaging, and make words work harder.
Thursday 5th June, 12-1pm
Case study spotlight
Financial management & sustainability: Hackney Playbus
Discover how Hackney Playbus, a small East London charity, transformed its financial management with Cranfield Trust's support.
Facing challenges with disconnected financial systems and reporting inefficiencies, Hackney Playbus sought assistance to streamline their processes. We paired them with a volunteer consultant who helped to:
- Organise and simplify their accounting systems
- Automate reporting and unify budgeting processes
- Introduce cash flow forecasting and planning
As a result, the charity now operates with more efficient financial systems, including an annual budget aligned with the financial year and real-time access to financial data for trustees. Their reserves have grown to three months’ worth of income, providing greater financial stability.
Find out more about how we helped.
Our impact
Celebrating our 35th anniversary in 2023-24, the Trust provided more support than ever before. We started 527 new consultancy projects and mentoring assignments in the year, and had an extraordinary 919 projects active in the year in total. In challenging times, frontline welfare charities have needed support, and our volunteers and team have responded to their needs.
Our year in numbers
Cranfield Trust is the UK’s leading provider of pro bono management support, mentoring and development to small charities. Find out more>
National impact, local presence
It has been a record-breaking year for the Trust, with delivery of services far exceeding expected activity levels. Learn more>
Supporting across sectors
We provide our range of pro bono services to welfare charities and other non-profit organisations across the sector. Learn more>
It is our pleasure to present our Impact Report for Cranfield Trust’s 35th anniversary year, and to share the stories of some of the great activities we have worked on, and great charities we have worked with, during the year.
Do you need help with your charity's strategy, business plan, financial management, governance, or impact reporting?
Check if your charity is eligible for our free and pro bono management support and discover how we can help.
Call us on 01794 830338 or send us an email.
