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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

Financial management during the cost of living crisis

Identify how the cost of living crisis might impact your organisation's income and spending and get ideas of what you could do about it

  • Financial management
  • Cost of living

Financial management during the cost of living crisis

This page sets out what areas of financial management we'll explore. We'll look at how the cost of living crisis might impact your organisation's income and spending and share ideas of what you could do about it.

  • Financial management
  • Cost of living

Financial pressures during the cost of living crisis

Learn about the key trends which may be impacting your income and spending

  • Cost of living
  • Financial management

Update your budget and cashflow

Identify how the cost of living crisis may impact your organisation's finances

  • Financial management
  • Cost of living

Understand and communicate your situation

Learn about questions you can ask to understand your financial situation and tips for communicating this to others

  • Cost of living
  • Financial management

Practical ideas to reduce or change your spending

Use this page to learn key questions to ask yourself before you decide on cost reductions and get practical ideas on how to cut costs

  • Financial management
  • Cost of living

Practical ideas to increase or change your income

Use this page to learn key questions to ask yourself before you invest in income generation and get practical ideas for raising more cash fast

  • Financial management
  • Cost of living

Supporting and retaining staff and volunteers during the cost of living crisis

Learn about practical ways, to support your staff and volunteers during the cost of living crisis

  • Employing and managing staff
  • Cost of living

Managing your energy costs

Learn about what support is available for managing energy costs and being energy efficient

  • Financial management

Managing services during the cost of living crisis

Learn about how to adapt to rising or changing demand due to the cost of living crisis

  • Cost of living

Better impact reporting (0.5 day)

This practical session will build your awareness of different types of reporting and support you to tell a compelling story through your reporting

Recruiting volunteers (0.5 day)

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

Advanced project management (1 day)

Are you confident in your general project management skills but looking to strengthen your expertise? This course moves beyond the basics of project management to better understand techniques, activities and principles within a charity context.

Leading change and transformation (2 days)

This practical two-day course for aspiring and existing charity leaders will teach you how to adapt to an ever-changing environment. Learn how to successfully deliver meaningful change to improve your team or organisation

Advanced data protection (2 x 0.5 days)

This advanced course is specifically for data protection leads in charitable organisations. It will prepare your organisation for new laws and obligations.

Good practice in volunteer management (1 day)

This course provides an introduction to the key principles of good volunteer management and how to apply them in your organisation

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

Governance Forum

Our Governance Forum is a space for charity governance professionals and those who support good governance to come together, learn and network

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

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