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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

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Complete our quick form to arrange catering for your event

Government policy and funding round-up: January 2023

This round-up will help you to stay informed about our influencing work, and any government policy and funding announcements

  • Government and politics
  • Funding and income

The challenges of charity banking

Banking is often one of the greatest day-to-day challenges faced by charities. Policy and insight manager Sam Mercadante explores the issue in more detail, and shares details of a new NCVO project

  • Financial management

Practical support bulletin: January 2023

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

  • Funding and income
  • Financial management
  • Responding to crises

The Road Ahead 2023: The ongoing impact of cost of living

In the first of our Road Ahead series, we consider what the cost of living crisis could mean for us all in the months ahead

  • Responding to crises

The Road Ahead 2023: Supporting staff, trustees and volunteers

As part of our Road Ahead series, we explore the issues affecting the people at the heart of our organisations

  • Employing and managing staff
  • Governance
  • Involving volunteers

The Road Ahead 2023: Keeping up the pace on equity, diversity and inclusion

In this Road Ahead article, we reflect on our shared commitment to better reflect and engage with the communities we serve

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

The Road Ahead 2023: Adapting to political change

As part of our Road Ahead series, we consider how the voluntary sector responds to continuing political turbulence

  • Government and politics

The Road Ahead 2023: Responding to new laws and regulations

In the last of our Road Ahead series, we shine a spotlight on new laws and regulations that may affect you

  • Law and regulation

The Big Help Out: Why it matters and how to get involved

What you need to know about the Big Help Out: a campaign to get more people volunteering

  • Involving volunteers

Impact round-up: Winter 2023

Evaluation consultant Carol Jennions looks at wellbeing evaluation and shares useful resources alongside some exciting new training opportunities

  • Impact and evaluation

Membership recruitment and due diligence

How to formally launch your consortium and invite organisations to join

  • Collaboration

Set up central management hub

How to set up the central hub that will run the consortium business, scope for contracts, network with commissioners and bring in contracts

  • Collaboration

Bid for and win contracts

How consortium members can work together to bid for, and hopefully win, contracts

  • Collaboration

About mergers

Information on the types of charity mergers and the different reasons for merging

  • Collaboration

Deciding to merge

This page highlights key questions to think about before making the decision to merge

  • Collaboration

Due diligence

Actions to ensure a planned merger is in the best interests of your organisations and beneficiaries

  • Collaboration

Pre-merger: Areas of focus

Things to consider in the run-up to a formal merger

  • Collaboration

Merger process

Planning the process with stakeholders and making sure you are clear about the role of your organisation’s regulator is key

  • Collaboration

Actions post-merger

What to consider once your merger has completed

  • Collaboration

Working with local Compacts

A guide to implementing local Compact agreements between voluntary organisations and local authorities, health services, and government departments

  • Collaboration

Data protection essentials (2 x 0.5 days)

This course will take you through the essentials of lawful data processing for charities and help improve your compliance with the law

Charity finance strategy (1 day)

This course will give you an overview of how to build a simple finance strategy. We’ll introduce tools to help you build the financial resilience of your charity

Strategic leadership (1 day)

This practical one-day course for aspiring and existing charity leaders will elevate your strategic leadership skills, so you can create lasting impact for your organisations and the communities you serve.

Leading a thriving organisational culture (1 Day)

This training provides you with the insights, tools, and confidence to evaluate and strengthen your organisation’s culture providing a strong foundation for success.

Webinar: A Million Acts Of Hope campaign

Learn how to get involved with A Million Acts of Hope, a campaign taking place across the country, building up to a week of action 13 – 20 May 2026.

Boost your personal influence and impact (0.5 day)

Learn practical tools and techniques to increase your capability, confidence and impact when seeking to influence others – both within and outside your organisation

Leading change and transformation (1 day)

The voluntary sector operates in a fast-moving and uncertain environment. This one-day training focuses on leading change in a way that brings staff teams with you.

Outcomes and impact measurement (1 day)

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

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

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