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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.

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

  • Funding and income
  • Government and politics

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

Organisational management calendar

A sample management calendar for users to adapt for their own organisations

Risk register

A template risk register is a framework for identifying, assessing and recording the risks that your organisation faces

Role descriptions for trustees

Sample role descriptions for a range of trustee roles

Role description for a chief executive

The management of a charity is delegated to the chief executive. This is a sample role description for a chief executive.

Sub-committee terms of reference

All sub-committees need terms of reference that clearly indicate what's expected of them and who they're accountable to.

CEO report template

It is good practice that the CEO reports to the board on a regular basis, we would recommend this report is written so that trustees have time to digest it and formulate questions.

Sample schemes of delegation

Three samples formats of schemes of delegation for boards. A one stop document for all your delegated duties and ways to monitor them

Charity governance code

This guide explores how to implement a good appraisal process that supports and motivates your CEO to do even better.

Charity governance code guide for micro charities

A guide to applying the principles of the Charity Governance Code, specially adapted for the smallest organisations.

Governance wheel

The governance wheel is a simple tool that helps boards of voluntary organisations quickly get a sense of how well they’re functioning and fulfilling their roles.

Advanced data protection (2 x 0.5 days)

This advanced course is specifically for data protection leads or officers in charitable organisations.

Volunteers and the law (0.5 day)

This course will help you create a positive and inclusive experience for volunteers. The course will explore best practice in relation to safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, and equality

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.

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.