Improving the charity sector

Whether it is small grassroots charities, or the 'super-charities', time and time again we see the same issues holding charities back from focusing on their day to day work. We also see similar problems when it comes to promoting philanthropy. In this area of our research programme we don't only look to identify these barriers - we look to find solutions. So far we've examined issues such as weak trustee boards, excessive reporting burdens on charities, and the undeveloped market for philanthropy advice. But there is a lot more we could do.

Recent reports


Inspiring impactInspiring impact: Working together for a bigger impact in the UK social sector Following this year's Impact Summit, a group of organisations are collaborating to inspire change and help charities and funders to focus on impact through working together. Read more >

Social investmentBest to borrow? A charity guide to social investment
NPC’s guide to social investment aims to help charities understand the risks and opportunities social investment entails and the steps they need to think through before deciding if it is for them. Read more >

Bright spotsA journey to greater impact: Six charities that learned to measure better We highlight six organisations at the forefront of measuring impact - 'bright spots' committed to high quality impact measurement that have reaped the rewards of putting it into practice. Read more >



All reports about improving the sector


Charity analysis

The little blue book

SROI position paper

SROI for funders

Grantmaking

Achieving more together

Corporate giving guide

An NPC strategy consulting project

Knowledge sharing among foundations

Improving charities

Communicating results

Impact networks

A journey to greater impact

Principles of good impact reporting

Reporting in England

Reporting to commissioners

Scaling up

Talking about results

Philanthropy

The business of philanthropy

Family philanthropy

Local giving

Philanthropy advice, view of donors

Ten ways to boost giving

Shared measurement

Prisoners' family ties

Social Enterprise

Social impact manifesto

Social investment

A guide for charities

Lending to charities

Review of Allia's charitable bonds

Trusteeship

Board matters

Talking to trustees

Well-being

 

The value of charity analysis

Example of SROI

Examples of charity analysis

 

A corporate's giving

Effective grants

Helping grantees focus on impact

Preparing for cuts

 

Full cost recovery

Inspiring impact

Mergers

Proving your worth to Whitehall

Reporting in Scotland

Risks in public contracts

Social campaigning

 

 

Economic approach to charitable giving

Fundraising events

Philanthropic lives

Philanthropy advice, role of wealth advisors

 

 

Youth justice

 

 

 

Big Society Capital

Loans and social investment

 

 

Trusteeship update 2010

Stories from the boardroom

 

 

Read posts on NPC's blog about whether shutting down is the greatest measure of success, why trustee boards need fresh blood, and what philanthropy advisors can learn from the rise of the fork.

See all NPC's research reports

Click here to see a full list of all reports NPC has published