Plans for a dedicated space that the Association of Jersey Charities and its members can utilise as a “charity hub” are moving closer to fruition.
The progress was revealed in the organisation’s latest annual report, which stated that “a private funder” had been found for the project with a view to sourcing “suitable premises” within the next year.
Chief executive Marcus Liddiard told Express that the association had received “a really solid commitment” from a real-estate firm – that had initially hoped it might be able to find something appropriate within its own portfolio – for at least three years’ funding to rent a space for the initiative.
The AJC exists for collaboration and to improve collaboration
AJC chief executive Marcus Liddiard
“This is a dedicated space for the AJC to be, but primarily for our members to be able to take free hot desking space, free meeting space, whatever else,” Mr Liddiard explained.
He noted that the hub would help volunteers interact with the association, but also with other charities.
Mr Liddiard also said that a town location was “preferable” and that the space “needs to be accessible to all our members”.
“The AJC exists for collaboration and to improve collaboration,” he added. “One of the best ways of doing that is actually in-person collaboration, so trying to encourage that as much as possible.”
The AJC has also been investigating how to help charities manage their administrative burdens, through the creation of shared service back-end functions.
Its report notes that: “The most valued services cluster around a finance-led core – finance and bookkeeping, payroll, HR and compliance – with cost reduction, relief for staff and volunteers, access to specialist expertise and stronger compliance the benefits members most want to see.
“The model members trust most is one anchored by the AJC, with independent oversight.”
Mr Liddiard revealed that the AJC had secured some “very early seed funding” for the scheme following conversations with a high-value resident and that there were others interested in supporting the idea.
“We’ve now got a sort of high-level draft of what we need to do to create a pilot,” he added.
