Ncvys Slides Nov 09

Recession>Response>Renewal

How Civil Society Organisations will live through the recession and build a stronger society

Karl WildingNCVO Public PolicyNovember 2009

Contact: karl.wilding@ncvo-vol.org.uk Web: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/karlwilding Download these slides and other stuff about the future at www.3s4.org.uk

I would like to start a discussion on…

• The recession and how it is biting

• How CSOs might reflect upon and respond to its impact, for themselves and their communities

• How CSOs might contribute to a renewal of our society and build a better, ‘good society’

1. The recession and how it is biting

Soundings

• Confidence is falling, both in relation to incoming resources and ability to meet demand for services

• Some is well placed: one third of organisations have seen a fall in income, which they believe is recession related

• Charitable giving has fallen 11% in total

• Government grants and contracts – esp post 2011 – are a major cause of concern and uncertainty

• But big increase in volunteering…though also in need for some services

• So, as the ‘real economy’ moves out of recession, the biggest concern is the public sector economy.

Recent impact: impact on the sector lags impact on the wider economy, but is starting to emerge

What has been the overall impact of the economic downturn?Charity Commission recession survey, March 2009 (D/Ks excluded)

Charity Commission survey suggests 52% affected by downturn; of these, 58% have seen funding fall (which suggests 30% of population have seen income falls

23

33

28

42

27

17

17

28

26

19

6

4

14

6

6

-52

-41

-26

-22

-45

-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80

>£10k

£10-£100k

£100k-£1m

£1m+

All

Not significant Significant Very significant Not at all

Has income fallen in the downturn? % answering yesCharity Commission recession survey, March 2009

60

55

65

46

58

0 20 40 60

>£10k

£10-£100k

£100k-£1m

£1m+

All

The actions of statutory funders will be critical

• Green: % of organisations that receive more than ¾ of their income from statutory sources

Source: NCVO

2. How VCOs might reflect upon and respond to the recession

Focus on your mission

Think and plan ahead: build scenarios

Lead staff and trustees from the front, with honesty

Financial management: there is enough time to prepare for 3/11

Explore and exploit your strategic relationships

3. How VCOs might contribute to a renewal of our society

The Good Society

• Move beyond traditional state/market solutions• Build a fairer society• Empower local voices, strengthen local action• Reboot the carbon-based economy

Recession>Response>Renewal

It’s tough

Opportunities are out there

It’s not too late

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