Power of Small project report

Below are the Power of Small project’s recommendations for grassroots voluntary organisations, small charities, and small voluntary, community and social enterprises.

These organisations ('Smalls') operate under immense pressure, often delivering complex and high-level services while juggling limited funding, administrative burdens and rising demand. Many organisations rely on volunteers or small teams, with individuals often wearing multiple hats to manage fundraising, compliance, governance and day-to-day operations.

Finding and applying for funding is a major challenge, requiring significant time and resources that could otherwise be spent delivering services.

With these constraints in mind, the recommendations below focus on practical, time-efficient actions that Smalls can take to strengthen their resilience and access support.

We recognise that Smalls are a diverse group. For some, these recommendations may be well-worn territory. For others, they may offer useful prompts or new approaches to consider.

While Smalls often lack the time and resources to engage in advocacy, joining forces with others can help amplify their voice without adding excessive strain.

Many funding decisions, policies and sector-wide initiatives are made without input from Smalls, meaning their challenges are overlooked.

With limited time, budgets and overstretched teams, many Smalls struggle to access affordable training and capacity-building support. Yet, building internal resilience can help to reduce long-term pressures, particularly when it comes to securing funding and managing compliance requirements.

One of the biggest challenges for Smalls is the time-consuming nature of searching for funding opportunities, preparing applications and managing reporting requirements. Many organisations find themselves constantly chasing short-term funding, leading to instability and burnout.

Digital tools can help Smalls save time and improve efficiency, but adopting new technology can sometimes feel overwhelming. The key is focusing on simple, high-impact tools that reduce administrative burden rather than creating additional work.

The Power of Small research, and practice, has shown that running a small organisation can be isolating, with leaders often carrying multiple responsibilities.

Engaging with other Smalls facing similar challenges can provide much-needed support, shared learning, and even potential collaboration opportunities.