The Small charities advisory panel (SCAP) was launched in partnership with the Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI) in March 2023, following the closure of the Small Charities Coalition (SCC). It was intended to provide a lasting legacy to the work of SCC. It was initially made up of 14 representatives from small charities, infrastructure bodies and funders that support small charities.
Following the closure of the FSI in May 2023, NCVO now leads this project. The panel will continue to uphold the legacies of both the FSI and SCC.
In 2024, we carried out a review of the Panel’s purpose and role with the support of an evaluation consultant. A key observation from this work was the need to ringfence and strengthen the small charity voice, and so it was decided that panel membership will be exclusive to small charities.
The Panel:
- Shares and explores voluntary sector insights and emerging trends;
- Advises and guides NCVO and any future partners on working towards a cross sector, joined up approach to small charity support;
- Shares expertise to improve the practical support offer from the wider sector;
- Makes robust recommendations so the needs of small charities are met;
- Brings lived experience of small charities to guide the strategic direction of support for small charities;
- Collaborates with NCVO and other partners to recognise and celebrate the vital role of small charities in civil society;
- Fosters meaningful relationships with funders, infrastructure bodies and other decision-makers.
The panel’s work will uphold the following four principles.
- If you support or fund small charities, say so upfront.
- Take time to understand and tune into the reality of being a small charity.
- Build trust by creating space for relationships.
- Think small, advocate ambitiously.
These are taken from the Small and Mighty report on the legacy of the SCC.
The panel has also agreed on a vision for their role. Over the next five years, small voluntary organisations will continue to be at the heart of our communities. By 2028 they will be better:
- resourced and supported to play their vital role in our communities
- understood and valued by government, funders, and other sectors
- connected to each other and the wider voluntary ecosystem with improved collaboration
- represented in their diversity both locally and nationally with key decision makers
- serviced by the infrastructure bodies with improved partnership working and initiatives.
- The panel meets quarterly.
- The panel is currently made up of ten members. It includes diverse representation from small charities across England, including one local infrastructure organisation.
- We define a small charity as a voluntary or community organisation with an annual income of less than £1 million. Small Charities Data has more information on the definition of a small charity.
The terms of reference for the Small charities advisory panel can be downloaded below.
