Wayne Bulpitt, chairman of the Association of Guernsey Charities, said increasing demand for services, coupled with dwindling funds, was putting local charities under pressure.
‘Two years ago, lack of volunteers was the biggest challenge,’ he said.
‘But this year more charities told us their concerns about a lack of funding, and at the same time increased demand.’
The issue was highlighted at the AGC’s annual conference, which was attended by about 150 people representing some 90 local charities.
The event’s keynote speaker, Jonathan Simmons, CEO of New Philanthropy Capital, challenged charities to reconsider how they attract donors, suggesting that greater collaboration – focusing on the impact they make rather than protecting individual organisations – could help make better use of limited resources.
He also questioned how the island could maximise charitable giving without knowing how much the island’s wealthiest currently donate.
‘There is a lack of any actual data on how philanthropic the people of Guernsey are,’ he said.
‘I think that is a big starting point to look at.’
Mr Bulpitt said AGC was working to strengthen connections between philanthropists and local causes.
‘We’re talking with the Guernsey Community Foundation around how we can work together to access individuals who want to contribute to the community,’ he said.
The two organisations also arranged a private session with Mr Simmons for local high-net-worth individuals to explore philanthropy and charitable impact.
Mr Bulpitt said bringing charities together was an equally important part of the conference – providing opportunities to share ideas and resources, with a renewed focus on pulling together for greater impact, particularly for charities closely involved with similar causes.
It had grown each year, he said, demonstrating members’ willingness to adapt.
From a total of approximately 600 local charities – which includes 120 sports clubs – Mr Bulpitt said there were about 300 active charities that were interested in collaboration.
Among those attending the event were representatives from the Priaulx Library and Little Chapel Foundation, who highlighted the challenges facing heritage organisations.
‘We were both saying that it gets neglected a little bit, and it’s underfunded the heritage side of things,’ said Nick Paluch from the Little Chapel Foundation.
They each agreed that combing their efforts was sensible. Gill Morris from the Priaulx Library highlighted a collaborative family history records project involving several heritage organisations, which had created a sustainable revenue stream.
‘It wouldn’t have happened in the same way if we hadn’t all done it,’ she said.
The conference had the theme of Financial Sustainability: Thinking Differently. It featured 12 practical workshops and a new charity showcase, opened by Lt-Governor Sir Richard Cripwell.