Sector umbrella bodies should collaborate more and prioritise lobbying of government, according to a survey of senior charity representatives.
Charity Finance’s Umbrella Bodies Survey shows that three-quarters of respondents that have interacted with organisations such as NCVO, ACEVO and the Charity Tax Group (CTG) said they were effective and satisfied with the support they provide.
However, several respondents said the bodies should be a collective voice for those that they represent and provide more support through the cost-of-living crisis.
‘Work more closely together’
Some charity leaders responding to the survey said they would like the various umbrella bodies to “work more closely together” (or variations on that phrase).
The chief executive of a medium-sized charity said there needs to be “more collaboration” across the bodies, adding that some “seem to want to protect their own interests/identity rather than seize the power of joining up to make meaningful government and public change”.
Another said that working more closely together would enable the bodies to “present a less fragmented, confusing picture of the charity sector to members, the public, donors and decision-makers”.
A third chief executive of a medium-sized charity commented: “Our umbrella bodies are better at sharing information and supporting good practice than they are at representing and influencing.”
Respondents praised closer collaboration between the umbrella bodies during the Covid-19 crisis and the results the approach achieved.
But on the cost-of-living crisis, around half of the respondents said they felt that the sector’s response was lacking or that they did not hear enough about the issue from the bodies.
Lobbying government ‘should be a priority’
Besides closer collaboration, respondents said the bodies should keep their lobbying of government as a priority, notably on issues caused by the current economic climate.
The chief financial officer of a medium-sized charity said the bodies should “hold the government and Charity Commission to account for attempted politicisation or unnecessary control over the sector”.
The treasurer of a small charity echoed these comments, adding that the bodies need to be a “stronger voice challenging the damage being caused by government”.
NCVO: ‘We’ve taken steps to become more responsive’
In response to the findings, NCVO chief executive Sarah Vibert said her organisation has taken steps “to become more responsive” to the needs of its members and is committed to continuously improving what it does by listening to them.
“We know that no one organisation holds all the keys to creating systemic change and instead, by working together, we can make a collective impact. Infrastructure organisations did this during the pandemic and are also uniting in the face of the cost-of-living crisis.
“The power of this joint approach builds on each organisation’s values, experience and unique skills putting pressure where it’s needed. This has led to policy wins, such as inclusion of charities in the current energy support package. We will continue to work closely with others to ensure our sector is valued for the incredible work it does.”
ACEVO: ‘Collaboration remains at the heart of our work’
Jane Ide, chief executive officer of ACEVO, said that “collaboration has been a key driving factor over the recent past and remains at the heart of our work and vision for the future”.
She gave the example of the establishment of the Civil Society Group in 2021, which she said shows a “desire and aptitude in our current leadership for considered and equitable collaboration that puts ego aside without compromising on mission and impact”.
“Charity infrastructure is not something that is easily explained or understood by those outside of our sector but is what underpins and supports our sector to achieve the change it seeks and is often the ‘invisible’ thread in the fabric of our civil society,” she said.
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