Charity leader membership body ACEVO has recorded its highest membership level since “at least” 2012 and ended the 2023-24 financial year with a deficit well below planned levels.
ACEVO’s latest annual report and accounts, published today, say that the organisation implemented planned investment in capacity in 2023, factoring in an assumed deficit of £175,000 in order to draw down reserves.
But it had ended the 2023-24 year with a deficit of just under £25,000, which the report says was a “credit to the team and a sign of ACEVO’s continuing success”.
Part of that success came in ACEVO’s membership numbers, which stood at 1,762, up from 1,722 in the previous year’s report.
Slowing membership growth but ‘extremely high’ engagement
While noting that the membership total was its highest for more than a decade, ACEVO’s report says that growth had slowed from the “rapid” levels seen between 2017 and 2021.
But, it adds, “we continue to see a good spread of types and scale of civil society organisation represented in our membership”, with engagement “extremely high” at 77%. Retention was also strong at 84%.
Some 65% of ACEVO members lead organisations with an annual turnover between £500,00 and £5m, its annual report says.
“We have members at every stage of the leadership journey: from aspiring leaders within our associate membership, to those taking on their first CEO role, and through the maturation of their leadership and into the last stages of their careers,” it says.
“This mix within our network enriches the experience for all of our members and gives us powerful sources of insight and knowledge to draw on.”
‘Fewer, better’ corporate partnerships
Besides income from members, the report highlighted the importance of income from corporate partners, with ACEVO pursuing a strategy of “fewer, better relationships” since 2022.
This had resulted in the largest-ever single such partnership being secured in 2023, the report says. ACEVO’s strategic partners include Zurich Insurance, investment management firm CCLA, and utilities consultant Energycentric.
“We have seen some restraint among corporate partners, but not to the overall detriment of our financial sustainability,” it says. “Year on year, we have continued to outperform against budget.”
As of 31 March 2024, ACEVO had £502,000 in free reserves, down from £602,000 a year earlier.
Income across 2023-24 was £1.44m, up from £1.29m during 2022-23. Corresponding expenditure figures were £1.46m and £1.19m.
Incoming chair: ‘Strong and successful’ showing
Responding to the annual report and accounts, Mark Norbury, ACEVO’s incoming chair, said the body is “a strong and successful organisation, enhancing its support of its members while positively influencing the ecosystem for civil society leaders”.
Norbury, who is replacing Rosie Ferguson, ACEVO’s chair of six years, added: “Our investment in capacity and skills to even better serve our members is well worthwhile. I’m delighted in the team’s outstanding efforts and I’m excited about how we are building our work to inspire and support our sector’s leaders.”
Jane Ide, CEO of ACEVO, said, “There is no doubt that our sector has been through a deeply challenging time and continues to do so, operating in a very volatile and continuing financially restrained environment.
“That ACEVO’s membership continues to be highly engaged and that demand for ACEVO’s offer continues to grow is evidence of the value and trust that members place in ACEVO and the continuing need for tailored leadership support to enable leaders to make the biggest possible difference,” she added.
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