Good Guide to Trading

Trading in goods and services is an increasingly important source of unrestricted income for civil society organisations. Many find that it makes a valuable contribution to their independence, sustainability and growth.

The Good Guide to Trading takes you through the process of launching a successful trading initiative from start to finish. Aimed at anyone with responsibility for raising money, the guide will be useful to organisations that are:

• new to trading but would like to explore the options
• already undertaking some trading activity but need some guidance on how to do it
• already trading and wish to expand or refocus their activities.

Guidance is presented in an easy-to-use format, with tools, case studies, signposts to other resources, key tips, and pitfalls to be aware of.

The book is divided into four parts:

• Part 1 puts trading into context within the sector, and explores the importance of a sustainable funding strategy
• Part 2 looks at the overall readiness of your organisation to develop trading activity
• Part 3 looks in detail at how to identify a specific trading idea and ensure it fits with your existing organisation
• Part 4 includes a directory of further support and a glossary.

The Good Guide to Trading is the result of the successful collaboration between NCVO's Sustainable Funding Project and CASS Business School.