Charity and development work : Jargon buster

Jargon buster

• Advocacy - is about helping people to say what they want, to represent their interests and gain the services they need and/or are entitled to.
• The Big Society - a Government agenda that aims to shift power and opportunity from politicians to people. The new policy aims to give voluntary and community organisations a greater role in public services. It also aims to support the voluntary and community sector.  
• Capacitybuilders - is a non-departmental public body to improve access to advice and support to organisations in the third sector. 
• Civil society - includes voluntary and non-profit organisations of many different kinds, philanthropic institutions, social and political movements and other forms of social participation and engagement. 
• Community Interest Company (CIC) - limited companies with special additional features for people who want to create businesses that pursue profits alongside social and/or environmental change, but without the regulatory regime associated with having charitable status. 
• The Compact - an agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector to work together to improve outcomes for the whole community. 
• Do-It - an online database of volunteering opportunities across the UK.
• Futurebuilders Fund - provides loans and grants to organisations looking to deliver public services, training for public sector commissioners and work to build the evidence on opportunities for the third sector. 
• NGO - non-governmental organisation. 
• Quangos - a semi-public, government-financed administrative body whose members are appointed by government. 
• Social enterprises - profit-driven businesses with social and environmental aims. Third sector - alternative name for the voluntary sector. 
• TimeBank - a national charity inspiring people to volunteer in their communities.
• V - a charity set up to inspire a new generation of volunteers. 
• VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas) - a leading development charity that sends volunteers to work abroad, supporting them throughout the volunteer placement.