Charity Purchasing Deals

Introduction

Purchasing networks operate on the basis that they can negotiate volume discounts with suppliers and then pass these on to charities, in return for a small percentage of the price. The following networks offer charities discounts on goods:

The Charities Buying Group

The Charities Buying Group is a dedicated service operated and owned by the charity Leonard Cheshire. Signing up to the CBG is free of charge, and is designed to benefit members irrespective of size.

The Charities Buying Group offers savings on a range of purchases including:
- Gas and Electricity cost reduction programmes
- CBG Employee Benefits package, which offers employees discounts on major High Street brands
- Free Chip and Pin Terminals
- Free software (subject to a nominal administration fee)
- Stationery
- Telecommunications
- Tailored Insurance programmes

Further information on the CBG can be viewed on their website:

www.charitiesbuyinggroup.com

NCVO has negotiated a range of discounts and preferential arrangements on a wide range of key products and services for both member charities and the wider voluntary sector.

Services available include:
- Insurance
- Telecoms
- Energy
- Photocopiers
- Stationery

For full details of the discounts and services, see the NCVO website:
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/discounts

OGC Buying Solutions

OGC Buying Solutions is an agency of the Office of Government Commerce within the Treasury. Their main market is the public sector, but they also offer their services to charities. Their packages are only suitable for larger charities with a number of sites. They offer:

Catalist Framework Agreements: a set of contracts with a range of suppliers in these areas:

-Information Technology supplies, maintenance and management

-Consultancy Services on environmental and organisaitonal issues

-Property Services including facilities management services, furnishing services, health and hygiene services and postal services.

Managed Services: ongoing services managed by OGCbuying.solutions on behalf of customers, including:

-A fully managed telecoms service

-e-procurement - an electronic marketplace

-Travel services, including vehicle hire

-Energy services

More details at their website:
www.ogcbuyingsolutions.gov.uk