ACO News Update

Join the One Day Changes Lives Campaign

ACO has launched the ‘One Day Changes Lives’ PR Project, an awareness day for ACO members, and we need you to join us in our campaign to spread the word about your work to the nation!
ACO News Update

Member Spotlight: Optical Benevolent Fund

The Benevolent Fund of the College of Optometrists and Association of Optometrists (AOP) exists to alleviate financial hardship for optometrists and their dependents.
ACO News Update

ACO supports Charity Times Awards 2019

Charity Times invites you to join in celebrating best practice and recognising outstanding professionals in the UK charity and not-for-profit sectors, while raising the sector’s profile, with a special 20th anniversary instalment of the Charity Times Awards.
ACO News Update

ACO Gets Social

ACO has been expanding its range of social media channels to allow more ways for members to contact us, connect with each other and for us to share news with members.
ACO News Update

Virtual Networking with ACO

Want to easily chat with other members outside of events, or have a burning question another member might know the answer to? ACO has set up a Slack workspace for member discussion, trialling its use with the Under-Fives group, and inviting suggestions for expanding its use for other focus groups.
Dates for your diary Update

AGM 2019

Wednesday 12th June at 3pm followed by drinks reception. London EC4
Dates for your diary Update

Grant Making Forum and Under Fives June 2019

Our next Grant Making Forum will be held on Thursday 13th June in London (11am-1pm), with the Under-fives group after lunch at 1:30pm, and is open to all ACO charity members. Venue: British Dental Association, 64 Wimpole Street London W1G 8YS.

Welcome to the ACO

The Association of Charitable Organisations is the national UK umbrella body for charities that give grants and welfare support to individuals in need. Founded in 1946 we are a powerful and growing network of over 100 members, all joined by the common goal of offering support to help people in need.

Join Here

What we do

ACO provides support to its members through:

Networking: building peer networks providing opportunities for members to share, and get advice and support. Running regular networking events throughout the year;
Raising standards: promoting good practice, tackling problems together and offering solutions;
PR and Communications: sharing member news amongst the network on behalf of our members, and raising the profile of charities with our "One Day of Action" PR project.
Lobbying and campaigning: giving our members a voice by responding to government consultations and raising awareness about the work of our member organisations;
Information; providing members with up to date information tailored to their specific interests through a monthly newsletter, policy briefings;
Online services: such as websites and member forums proving opportunities to seek and share advice and experience.

Learn More

Upcoming Events

Annual General Meeting 2019 - Wednesday 12th June at 3pm

Grant Making Forum - Thursday 13th June British Dental Association, 64 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8YS, from 11am-1pm

Under Fives - 1:30pm after Grant Making Forum

Autumn Summit 2019 - Friday 11th October

Helping Individuals in Need Report

This toolkit is intended for those running a charity that gives grants to individuals in need. Authored by Caroline Aldred and Clementine Cowl, the idea for this guide came out of the questions that arise frequently at ACO meetings such as ‘our trustees want to offer loans to applicants, but can we do this and what are the legal implications?’ or ‘how should we manage home visits?’ We hope that this guide will assist in finding answers to these questions.

Download Here

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Latest News

Join the One Day Changes Lives Campaign

ACO has launched the ‘One Day Changes Lives’ PR Project, an awareness day for ACO members, and we need you to join us in our campaign to spread the word about your work to the nation!

Member Spotlight: Optical Benevolent Fund

The Benevolent Fund of the College of Optometrists and Association of Optometrists (AOP) exists to alleviate financial hardship for optometrists and their dependents.

ACO supports Charity Times Awards 2019

Charity Times invites you to join in celebrating best practice and recognising outstanding professionals in the UK charity and not-for-profit sectors, while raising the sector’s profile, with a special 20th anniversary instalment of the Charity Times Awards.

ACO Gets Social

ACO has been expanding its range of social media channels to allow more ways for members to contact us, connect with each other and for us to share news with members.

For the latest news via e-mail please Register