The Power of Small: championing small organisations across the sector
Small voluntary organisations play a vital role across the sector. Whether working locally, nationally or internationally, they are embedded in communities of place, identity and experience. They respond quickly to needs, build trusted relationships and often support people who are overlooked elsewhere. But despite their impact, the systems designed to support them often don't work as they should.
Why we did this work
Smalls are ambitious for their communities but often operate in conditions that make their work harder:
- Demand is rising
- Funding is unstable
- Support bodies have closed
- Leaders feel stretched, isolated and increasingly invisible.
In response, we launched The Power of Small project, supported by the National Lottery Community Fund. Our aim was to listen, amplify their insight and test practical ways to better support small voluntary organisations. More than 600 people took part through surveys, interviews, workshops and co-design sessions.
Our project report reflects their voices and leadership. It also challenges us to think about how we show up for Smalls as an infrastructure body.
We use 'Smalls' to refer to small voluntary organisations, including small charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs) and social enterprises.
What we heard
Smalls told us the challenges they face fall into four main themes.
Funding systems don’t work for Smalls
The current funding model doesn’t reflect how small charities operate. Many struggle to access core, unrestricted or multi-year funding. Applications are time-consuming, and reporting requirements are often disproportionate.
As one charity leader put it: “We are penalised for being small. For not having a professional fundraiser. For not having stats. For not having a jazzy website.”
Some said they felt pressure to reshape their work to fit funder expectations, rather than responding to what their communities actually need.
Power and influence sit elsewhere
Almost 80% of survey respondents said they didn’t feel represented in national policy or funding spaces. Many felt excluded from key decisions and conversations.
“We’re at the bottom of the pile – we’re never invited in.”
This lack of voice added to a wider sense of exhaustion. Leaders spoke about the emotional cost of having to constantly prove their value.
Support exists, but doesn’t always work
While a lot of support is available in theory, small charities said it was hard to find, hard to assess, or too time-consuming to engage with.
“You spend hours searching and emailing and trying to find the right support – and in the end, you just give up. It’s exhausting.”
They asked for clearer signposting, more tailored offers and peer support rooted in shared experience.
Leading takes a toll
Mental health came up consistently. Many described the personal strain of working under pressure, often alone, with no margin for rest.
Some said they had seen peers step back from leadership roles due to burnout, leaving gaps that were hard to fill.
It’s relentless. Even when the work is good, you don’t have time to enjoy it.
What happens next
This report sends a clear message: Smalls do not need fixing. The systems around them do.
They have told us what they need – fairer funding, stronger voice, more usable support and space to breathe. It is now up to funders, infrastructure bodies and policy makers to respond. At NCVO, we are taking these findings seriously.
They are already shaping how we work. One example is the renewed small charities advisory panel, now made up entirely of small charity representatives – including one local infrastructure body. This shift gives the panel greater influence and ensures small charity voices are shaping the conversation, not just feeding into it.
As we continue our wider strategic review, we are reflecting on where we can be most useful, and how we develop a more coordinated and comprehensive support offer. We and our infrastructure partners can help small organisations build the capacity they need to deliver impactful and effective work. Real change comes through collaboration.
Our role is to listen, understand where we can help and collaborate with humility and care.
In the months ahead, we will keep listening and working alongside small charities, sharing learning and using our voice to advocate for the changes they have called for. We will also continue to bring people together, funders, infrastructure bodies and small organisations, to explore how we can respond collectively.
We also want to celebrate the progress already happening across the sector. Peer-led movements, local initiatives and everyday acts of leadership are driving change. Our job is to support that energy with trust, curiosity and a commitment to learning.
When Smalls thrive, so do the communities they support.
About the project
The Power of Small was delivered by NCVO and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.
We’re grateful to the over 600 people who contributed their time, insight and experience to this work, and to the members of our steering group for their invaluable guidance throughout the project.