Allavida study of small charities

Allavida has just completed a study looking at how small charities can get the maximum benefit out of their work.

The study finds that the important work that these small charities are doing - mobilizing specialist skills, creating links between communities, creating opportunities for specialist volunteering, developing case studies of sustained interaction with one village or town - is undermined by organizational shortcomings. Learning is not documented or disseminated, specialists are not effectively networked to supply larger agencies, activities are undertaken but barely evaluated.

The report recommends the following steps to remedy the position: a mapping of service providers and analysis of relevance to smaller charities; the creation of a network of small charities; the development of a website which would provide access to expert information and which would serve as a forum for the exchange of experience, goods and services allowing small charities to pool their resources.

In the longer-term, regional training days for small charities providing a ready-made source of information and expertise on organisational matters should be arranged; annual conferences organized by an umbrella body for small charities working in a particular area; and a central body established with similar functions to the Charity Commission which would be specifically aimed at small charities.

Click here to read the summary version of the report

Click here to read the full version of the report

© 2005 Allavida