Made contact recently with PrimeTimers an organisation that aims to bridge the gap between business and the ‘third sector’: charities, voluntary and community groups, and social enterprises – not-for-profit organisations generally. Established in 2001 the founders of PrimeTimers spotted a need to provide guidance to individuals with strong private sector backgrounds who wanted to move into, or give help to, the charity sector. They provide guidance, information and support to interested individuals about the sector and its opportunities. In turn they provide a range of services to the sector including interim managers, volunteers, trustees, and part-time or consultancy support.
The definition of third sector is somewhat confusing and not entirely consistent (but more consistent than that for Web 2.0 – see previous post). Obviously it includes those organisations, ranging from small groups of volunteers up to the big boys (sorry – and girls) such as Oxfam and Shelter, that spring readily to mind as charities. Social enterprises (a fairly recent coinage, I suspect) are harder to define but are organisations with a community purpose. There is a good definition on the Cabinet Office website (http://tinyurl.com/4h9c7r). NCVO, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, is another source of information on the sector.
When you move on to the wider not-for-profit sector life becomes even more confusing. As well as bodies such as museums and art galleries this includes companies limited by guarantee that operate in a fully commercial way but do not have shareholders and are committed to use surpluses for charitable purposes. Often, they are working in service sectors comprising both profit-making and not-for-profit organisations. A good example is the youth sector. Back in the mid-90s careers services (then run by local authorities) were put out to tender. Some stayed with local authorities, some went to fully commercial organisations and others to not-for-profit companies; a mix that then carried through into the Connexions partnerships. As with Connexions, many in this sector are spending or distributing government funds.
Overall, a secor with much going for it.
