THE STATE OF CHARITIES AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISES IN 2015

The Social Landscape is a joint CAF and ACEVO report. Our aim is to gain a unique insight into the voluntary sector from the perspective of its Chief Executives; to understand the challenges faced and to assess the impact such challenges have on the sector’s ability to meet the needs of its beneficiaries. The report reveals how charities across the country are fighting to stay afloat as they struggle to raise money and meet ever increasing demand:

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THE CHARITY LANDSCAPE

  • One in seven (15%) charity chief executives say their organisation is ‘struggling to survive’, growing to one in five (21%) among smaller charities (those with an income less than £1m per year) which make up more than 95% of the sector.
  • A third of charities (32%) have dipped into their reserves to cover income shortfalls in the last year, according to the survey of 572 voluntary sector chief executives.
  • Demand for charity services is growing with over three quarters (78%) of charities seeing an increase in the last year and 83% anticipating a rise over the next twelve months.
  • Generating income and achieving financial sustainability is the biggest challenge currently facing charities, with 60% of chief executives citing this as one of their most pressing issues.
  • Seven in ten charities have brought in outside help in the last year or plan to do so in the next twelve months
  • 55% have collaborated with other charities and 28% have worked with private sector organisations in the last year

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