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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

The stages of consortium development

Step-by-step guidance to help voluntary organisations develop a consortium

  • Collaboration

Pre-start-up scoping and planning

Guidance on scoping and planning before you set up a voluntary-sector consortium

  • Collaboration

Formation of working group

How to form the initial working group that will help partners set up a consortium

  • Collaboration

Development funding

An outline of how much funding is required to establish a voluntary sector consortium, and some of the potential funding sources

  • Collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Why you need to engage stakeholders such as commissioners and local organisations in your consortium development, and how to involve them

  • Collaboration

Operational development and consortium documents

An overview of the key policies and procedures that will support the operational running of a consortium

  • Collaboration

Incorporation and establishment of interim board

A guide to becoming an incorporated company

  • Collaboration

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

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

Authentic leadership (1 day)

This practical one-day course for aspiring and existing charity leaders will strengthen your understanding of authentic leadership, so you can lead with integrity and impact

Tools and methods for measuring outcomes (1 day)

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

Introduction to EDI in charities (2 x 0.5 days)

This course introduces the key principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and how to apply them to your organisation

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

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 change and transformation (2 days)

This practical two-day course for aspiring and existing charity leaders will build your confidence and skills to deliver impact for yourself and your organisation. Learn who your key stakeholders are and how to use communication tools to build engagement and partnerships

eLearning: Roles and duties of trustees

Trustees play an important role in making sure charities are well-managed and can achieve their aims. This accessible, interactive trustee eLearning course lets you study in your own time and at your own pace so you can fit around your schedule and priorities.