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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.

England riots: Statement from NCVO's chief executive

  • Responding to crises

How charities can tackle misinformation

  • Digital and technology

England riots: Letter to civil society from DCMS Secretary of State

The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP shares support for the voluntary sector in the wake of riots and unrest across England

  • Responding to crises

New report highlights digital barriers for disabled volunteers

We share key findings from a new report that highlights the digital barriers stopping many disabled adults from fully participating in volunteering

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

NCVO at the Labour Party Conference: Key takeaways

A round-up of the key conversations and takeaways from the Labour Party Conference

  • Campaigning
  • Government and politics

Trustee confidence: Key research findings and actions for your board

NCVO's governance consultant Mo Wiltshire shares highlights from the Charity Commission’s recent research into trustee confidence

  • Governance

NCVO welcomes new president and trustees at 2024 AGM

Baroness Delyth Morgan was confirmed as NCVO's new president. Two new trustees, Ruth Marvel and Louise Posocco, were also appointed

  • Inside NCVO
  • Governance

UK Civil Society Almanac 2024

Published annually by NCVO, the Almanac is the definitive publication on the state of the voluntary sector. Widely cited by the media, it is used extensively by sector leaders, policy makers, journalists and academics.

  • Government and politics
  • Involving volunteers

Understanding Trustee Recruitment and Retention Challenges

A survey of the voluntary sector

  • Involving volunteers
  • Governance

Budget 2024: Key implications for charities

Our round-up of the new Labour government’s spending plans and what they mean for charities and communities

  • Government and politics
  • Funding and income

Analysing qualitative data for evaluation

Learn about what qualitative data is and how to analyse it

  • Impact and evaluation

Writing an evaluation report

Guite to writing an evaluation report helps you share key findings and recommendations with internal and external stakeholders.

  • Impact and evaluation

Using and learning from evaluation findings

How to use and learn from your evaluation findings

  • Impact and evaluation
  • Business planning and strategy

What is strategy?

Use this page to learn about what strategy is and how it can help your organisation

  • Business planning and strategy

Involving people in developing your strategy

Use this page to learn who to involve in developing your strategy and how best to engage them

  • Business planning and strategy

Creating the right strategy process for your organisation

Learn about how to create the right strategy process for your organisation.

  • Business planning and strategy

Theory of Change

Learn about Theory of Change as a process and a tool

  • Business planning and strategy

Setting the direction of your organisation

Find out what's involved in setting the direction of your charity

  • Business planning and strategy

Gathering knowledge to assess your situation

Use this section to select the right tools to help you understand your landscape and conditions.

  • Business planning and strategy

SWOT

A guide to help your organisation with your SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis

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 member welcome and refresher session: July 2025

Being an NCVO member means being part of a community. Whether you've just joined us, or you're renewing your membership and need a refresher, join this session to meet and network with other members online

Managing conflict and ending volunteering well (0.5 day)

This course will help you to manage conflict and problem solve with your volunteers, and navigate the process of ending volunteering well.

Outcomes and impact measurement (1 day)

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

Managing people in the charity sector (2 days)

This course will equip managers in the voluntary sector with the skills and techniques they need to effectively manage paid members of staff

Strategic planning: tools for decision making (1 day)

This course will introduce processes and tools to help ensure that decision-making is responsive to your environment and focused on the most important issues affecting your organisation

Tools and methods for measuring outcomes (1 day)

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

Volunteering network meeting

A network open to all NCVO members working within the volunteering ecosystem. Join us to discuss your volunteering challenges and work with the group to find solutions

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

Leading external engagement (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