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About us

Find out about our services, the way we operate and how we champion voluntary action

Who we are

We’re the membership community for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups in England

Our services

Find out how we can support you, from support for small charities and training to consultancy and corporate relations

Training

We offer a range of training courses designed to help you do what you do best

eLearning: Roles and duties of trustees

This flexible, interactive course will help you understand your duties as a trustee and support you to run your charity effectively so you can make a bigger difference

Leading on purpose

A practical four-month programme for emerging charity leaders who are on their way to leading organisations

Our vision for charity leaders

Learn about the mindset, knowledge and connections that emerging leaders need to guide the sector into the 2030s

Support for small charities and voluntary organisations

We know small charities make a big impact with limited resource - that's why we're here to help

Small charity helpdesk

Ask our practical support team any question about the setting up or running of your charity or voluntary organisation.

Practical support bulletin: March 2023

Amy Walton, small charity support manager, shares resources, free events, support and information on the big issues affecting small charities.

  • Responding to crises
  • Funding and income
  • Financial management

Statement regarding the closure of The FSI

Our statement on the recent closure of The FSI

Spring budget 2023: funding and implications for charities

Our reflections on the budget and what it could mean for voluntary organisations

  • Government and politics

Small charities advisory panel launched

The panel will champion the voices and experiences of small charities, ensuring they can access tailored help, support and advocacy

  • Collaboration

Governance round-up: April 2023

Senior governance consultant Sally Stephens explains the upcoming changes in the Charities Act 2022

  • Governance

Volunteering round-up: April 2023

NCVO’s new volunteering consultant Helen Tourle shares volunteering news and dates for your diary

  • Involving volunteers

New roles to support Small Charity Week and update on The FSI legacy work

Our work with The Foundation for Social Improvement’s board and two short term roles to support Small Charity Week.

The inside track: April 2023

This month sees a potential tightening of the rules around APPGs, a new data protection bill, and a campaign to help charities engage with the House of Lords

  • Government and politics

NCVO recognised for its progress towards race equality

NCVO awarded Race Equality Matters’ Bronze Trailblazer status in recognition of our work towards becoming a more diverse, inclusive, and equal organisation

  • Inside NCVO

Key findings from Time Well Spent 2023

New data reveals how much volunteering has transformed over recent years

  • Impact and evaluation
  • Involving volunteers

Corporation and income tax

Charities are usually exempt from paying corporation or income tax, but there are some situations where you might become liable

  • Financial management

VAT and charities

When do charities need to consider VAT and what are the exemptions?

  • Financial management

Trading and charities

How to trade as a charity, and what the risks are

  • Financial management

How to set up a trading subsidiary

Charities are allowed to trade under certain circumstances, but if you've decided to develop a trading activity which is not allowed, you'll need to establish a trading subsidiary. Here's how.

  • Financial management

Gift Aid

Gift Aid is a scheme which allows charities to claim an extra 25p for every £1 donated

  • Financial management

Gift aid small donations scheme (GASDS)

GASDS is a top up on small cash donations without using Gift Aid

  • Financial management

Making tax digital

Guidance on complying with with HMRC Making Tax Digital reporting requirements

  • Financial management

Banking guidance for charities

Guidance around when a charity or voluntary organisation needs a bank account, and how to choose one and set it up.

  • Financial management

Financial difficulty and insolvency

Find out about some of the areas to consider when managing financial difficulties and insolvency

  • Financial management

Working through financial challenges

Learn about how to work though helping your organisation manage financial uncertainty

  • Financial management

Mentoring and coaching skills (0.5 days)

This course provides an introduction to the key differences between mentoring and coaching. You’ll learn how to use both skills effectively to develop and support staff, volunteers and clients

Theory of change for strategic planning and evaluation (1 day)

Learn how to create your own theory of change and narrative. This course will challenge you to think critically about what you're doing and why

Outcomes and impact measurement (1 day)

Learn how to create an evaluation plan to better understand and demonstrate the difference your work makes

Charity finance skills (1 day)

This course will help people with little or no financial background to feel confident in managing day-to-day charity finance

Charity trustee induction and refresher (2 x 0.5 days)

This course will give trustees an overview and understanding of charity governance, regulation and best practice

NCVO/Zurich webinar: Developing and embedding effective risk assessments for volunteers

Join us for an essential webinar on creating and embedding effective risk assessments to protect your volunteers and those they support

Financial governance for trustees (0.5 day)

This course will revisit the core financial duties of a charity trustee and explore what it means to practice good financial governance

Safeguarding essentials in charities (1 day)

All voluntary organisations have a duty to keep the people they work with safe from harm. This course introduces the basics of safeguarding within a charity context in England and highlights effective safeguarding practice

Tools and methods for measuring outcomes (1 day)

Get an introduction to data collection methods and practical guidance for evaluating your work

Recruiting volunteers (0.5 day)

This course will develop your skills and help you use a marketing approach to recruit volunteers