The Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations has reported that its membership is up 4 per cent, while its income has continued to decline.
Acevo's accounts, for the year ending March 2015, show an increase in members from 1,373 in 2014 to 1,421 in 2015. It is the first time that the umbrella body has seen such a growth since the financial crash of 2008/09.
In 2014 its membership fell by 10 per cent from 1,520 to 1,373.
Acevo said that its retention rate has remained stable at 75 per cent, compared to 77 per cent in 2013/14, and that it has attracted an average of 27 new members per month – compared to 17 per month in 2013/14.
The umbrella body’s income has steadily declined following a peak in 2010 of £3.18m.
In 2015 overall income fell by £150,000 to £1.77m, partly because the Office of Civil Society did not provide any funding. Last year the OCS gave Acevo a grant worth £207,500, and the year before it was £311,250.
Acevo saw an increase of £176,521 in sponsorship income.
One employee, likely to be the charity’s chief executive Sir Stephen Bubb, earned between £100,000 and £110,000 throughout the year. With the average number of full-time equivalent employees remaining consistent at 20.4 (21.6 in 2014).
Acevo has referred to the last year as its “most successful year to date” in terms of campaigning, influencing and policy research, representing its members in the run-up to the 2015 general election.
'Refresh and expand'
Acevo said that in 2015/16 it intends to “refresh and expand” its consultancy support offering. It plans to do this by developing and refining existing services based on experience in the year.
It also plans to expand into new areas including supporting voluntary organisations to win contracts or subcontracts, continuing support to make greater use of social investment, and supporting voluntary organisations in engagements with commissioners.
In the introduction to the annual report, chief executive Sir Stephen Bubb and chair Paul Farmer wrote that 2015/16 is a year of ambition.
They said: “Our challenge is to push the boundaries of excellence even further; to become more local, even more democratic, even more collaborative and even more innovative. Were it not for what we have achieved this year, our ambitions might have to be curbed. As it is: the sky is the limit.”
