The Road Ahead 2025

The UK charity sector stands at a crossroads in 2025, facing an evolving landscape shaped by economic pressures, policy changes, and shifting public expectations.

There are over 168,000 registered charities in the UK, together contributing billions to the economy and providing essential services. While funding constraints and political, economic, environmental and legal complexities present ongoing challenges, a wealth of opportunities still exist for innovation, digital transformation, and enhanced community engagement.

A message from NCVO

The voluntary sector continues to demonstrate resilience, creativity, and determination in the face of unprecedented challenges. As we step further into 2025, charities and voluntary organisations remain at the forefront of tackling some of the most pressing social issues, from poverty and inequality to climate action and community cohesion.

Yet, we know that the road ahead will not be easy. Economic uncertainty, difficult funding landscapes, and evolving political priorities require us to rethink how we operate, collaborate, and advocate for change.

This year’s Road Ahead report serves as a guide to help you navigate the risks, challenges and opportunities ahead. It provides a practical overview of the key trends shaping our sector and offers insights to help you strengthen financial sustainability, embrace digital tools, and best advocate for the communities you serve.

At NCVO, we are committed to ensuring that the voices of charities and voluntary organisations are heard at every level of decision-making. We will continue to work alongside you, advocating for policies that support and sustain the sector, providing resources to help you build capacity, and foster collaboration across our networks.

Together, the charity and voluntary sector can, and will, face the challenges ahead with its unique creativity, confidence and determination. The voluntary sector has always been a source of hope and support for those who need it most. With the right tools and strategies in place, I know we will all continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities across the UK.

Sarah Elliott
Chief Executive, NCVO

A message from Zurich

Zurich has been proudly partnering with charities and voluntary organisations for over two decades, providing essential insurance cover and risk management support. It’s an honour to support such dedicated and impactful organisations as you deliver crucial work in communities.

Charities and voluntary organisations are continuing to balance increasing and evolving demands, increased complexity and reduced levels of income. This requires ever increasing levels of resilience, proactive planning, and creativity to manage risk and opportunity, all whilst you continue to deliver vital services.

There are opportunities to strengthen organisations and communities through innovation, digital transformation and alignment with partners who can add to and build on existing capabilities.

Through working closely with you, our charity and voluntary sector customers and partners, we’ve built a real understanding of current and emerging risks, and exposures in the sector and communities. We’re here to support organisations in horizon scanning, and risk and resilience planning.

We’re delighted to work with NCVO on this year’s Road Ahead report, outlining the risks we see facing the sector for the coming year, gaining insight, and giving guidance on how those risks might be mitigated.

We hope it will help you as you consider your risk profile, risk roadmap and the insurance you need to consider, to enable you to deliver services long into the future.

Natalie Bate
Head of Market Charities and Social Organisations, Zurich