National Council for Voluntary Organisations

National Council for Voluntary Organisations
source
Name	National Council for Voluntary Organisations
Formation	1919
Headquarters	London
Location	England
Leader title	Chief Executive

Contents

National Council for Voluntary Organisations is a leading umbrella body representing charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations across England and the United Kingdom. It acts as a central voice connecting actors such as Charity Commission for England and Wales, Big Society Trust, National Lottery Community Fund, Cabinet Office, and All Party Parliamentary Groups while engaging with institutions like House of Commons, House of Lords, European Commission, and international bodies such as the United Nations and Council of Europe. The organisation interacts with civic actors including Citizens Advice, British Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children, and Shelter (charity).

History

The council traces antecedents to post‑First World War mutual aid movements and philanthropic networks connected with figures like Millicent Fawcett, Herbert Asquith, Lloyd George era welfare reforms and the aftermath of the Representation of the People Act 1918. During the interwar period it liaised with bodies such as Rowntree Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, and welfare charities active after the 1926 United Kingdom general strike. In the post‑Second World War reconstruction years it worked alongside agencies including British Council, National Trust, National Health Service, and the Welfare State architects tied to Clement Attlee. In the late twentieth century it engaged with reformers around the Community Care (Direct Payments) Act 1996, the Charities Act 1993, and initiatives associated with Tony Blair administration modernisation agendas. More recently it has navigated policy debates involving Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, austerity measures promoted by Chancellor of the Exchequers, and regulatory change influenced by the Charity Commission and ICO.

The council’s governance models reflect practices seen at organisations like Institute of Directors, Civil Society Research Unit, and Nesta. Its board includes trustees drawn from sectors represented by Marie Curie (charity), Mind (charity), Age UK, Guide Dogs, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and other national charities. Its executive leadership engages with policymakers at No. 10 Downing Street, ministers from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, officials at the Department for Work and Pensions, and chairs liaison with cross‑bench peers in House of Lords. Internal departments mirror structures in United Nations Development Programme country offices, including policy, membership services, communications, and research teams liaising with think tanks such as IPPR, Demos, and Centre for Social Justice.

The organisation performs convening functions comparable to ACEVO, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, and National Council for Voluntary Organisations (Scotland) counterparts, delivering sector support, guidance and collective representation. It publishes guidance and toolkits referenced alongside materials from Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, Office for Civil Society, and funders like Big Lottery Fund. It runs programs for capacity building similar to Nesta Challenge and operates training and governance seminars echoed by Institute for Government briefings. It commissions research with partners such as University of Oxford, London School of Economics, University of Manchester, and research centres including Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Kings Fund.

Membership spans large national charities like Oxfam, Save the Children, Barnardo's, medium sized organisations such as Refugee Council and local infrastructure bodies including Community Action Network. Funding sources include subscriptions, grants from philanthropies like Comic Relief, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, public contracts with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, project grants from National Lottery Community Fund, and income earned through consultancy and training comparable to revenue models of British Red Cross and St John Ambulance. Financial oversight aligns with reporting expectations from Charity Commission for England and Wales and auditing standards used by firms such as Grant Thornton United Kingdom.

The council advocates on issues spanning regulation, commissioning, social investment and volunteerism, engaging with policy instruments like the Charities Act 2011, Freedom of Information Act 2000, and procurement frameworks influenced by the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012. It submits evidence to select committees in House of Commons, publishes position papers alongside organisations such as National Audit Office, and mobilises sector campaigns akin to initiatives run by Justice for Journalists and Friends of the Earth. It collaborates with parliamentary groups, works with civil society allies including Amnesty International (UK Section), Equality and Human Rights Commission, and contributes to consultations from the Department for Education and Ministry of Justice.

The council forms partnerships with funders and delivery partners such as National Lottery Community Fund, Big Society Capital, Local Government Association, and collaborates with international networks including International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and European Volunteer Centre. Its influence extends through alliances with policy institutes like IPPR, service delivery partners such as Cafcass, and civic coalitions modelled on campaigns by Make Poverty History and Stop the War Coalition. Through these ties it shapes practice and policy across the sector, engaging stakeholders from municipal authorities like Greater London Authority to global forums such as United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Category:Charities based in England Category:Social welfare organizations