The Foundation for Social Improvement, a charity that supports small charities by providing training, advocacy and support published the UK Small Charity Sector Skills Survey. According to the survey, many charities are suffering from a skills deficit, especially in areas such as fundraising and strategy.
The results of the survey were launched on Monday evening and 308 charities with annual turnovers of less than £1.5m participated. 37% of the charities surveyed said that they could not improve their services because staff lacked the required skills and 66% said that no funding was available for training and development. 35% of the respondents said that they did not have necessary skills or experience in areas such as dealing with major donors, or in corporate or online fundraising. 57% of the respondents said that the fundraising vacancies are the hardest to fill.
It's not all bad news however. Charities reported excellent or very good levels of skills in internal communications (48.1%), team working (63.3%), health and safety (46.6%), leadership (50%), basic IT (66.8%), and working in partnership with other organisations (57.2%).
Pauline Broomhead, chief executive of the FSI, said “Although all charities are facing increased pressures during this time of economic uncertainty, these issues place a greater strain on small charities. She adds: “These organisations are already overstretched, with staff taking on multiple roles and a heavy reliance placed on volunteers to deliver services.”
The survey was sponsored by the Institute of Fundraising and the Cabinet Office. The launch of the survey at the Monday event also announced the first Small Charity Week which is to take place from 17 to 22 June.
by Ioana Nedelcu
