May 2013
Featured in this insight: Charity & not-for-profit
Market research suggests small charities lack certain expertise: The UK Small Charity Sector Skills Survey 12/13 suggests that almost two-fifths (37%) of small charities cannot improve their services due to skills gaps among key staff. In addition, two thirds stated that they did not have any funds available to invest in training and development of these staff. The research was carried out for the Foundation for Social Improvement and garnered responses from 308 charities with an annual turnover of less than £1.5 million.
When asked, more than half (57%) of respondents suggested that positon's relating to fundraising were the hardest to fill. The research also suggested that funding from local authorities was falling, leading to an increasing need to move towards seeking funding from major donors, or from corporate or online fundraising initiatives. Worryingly, 35% of respondents to the research claimed they did not have the skills or experience required in order to successfully fundraise from these avenues.
Pauline Broomhead, chief executive of the FSI, had the following comments:
"Although all charities are facing increased pressures during this time of economic uncertainty, these issues place a greater strain on small charities," she continued, "these organisations are already overstretched, with staff taking on multiple roles and a heavy reliance placed on volunteers to deliver services."
View more of our sector specific insights: Charity & not-for-profit
