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State of the Sector 2014

Welcome to the survey

Since Third Sector and nfpSynergy last conducted their biennial state of the sector survey, far-reaching political and economic changes have affected charities, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and community groups in the UK.

The next survey is now due. What do you think of what’s been happening? How has it affected you and your organisation? We want the State of the Sector Survey 2014 to allow everyone in the sector to express their views on the key questions. The results will be published in a special edition of Third Sector later in the year.

There are 20 (yes TWENTY) prizes of a £20 AMAZON VOUCHER drawn from the names of those who complete the survey and leave their email address.

The questionnaire will only take a few minutes to complete. If you don't wish to answer a question, leave it blank. All replies will remain strictly confidential. If you have any questions, please email insight@nfpsynergy.net or call Andrew Ventham on 0207 426 8888.

The deadline for completing the survey is NEW DEADLINE OF MONDAY 28TH APRIL. Thank you very much for taking part.

Stephen Cook, editor, Third Sector
Joe Saxton, nfpSynergy.

NB The word ‘charity’ is used throughout as a shorthand term to cover all third sector, not-for-profit organisations.
1. The recent recession and economic downturn have had an impact on the third sector in a range of ways. Please indicate how the income, services, volunteers and staff of your organisation have been affected in the last two years.
Space Cell Increased a lotIncreased a bitAbout the sameDecreased a bitDecreased a lotNot relevant to usNot sure/Don't know
Has the number of people you employ increased or decreased?
Has your income from local government increased or decreased?
Has your overall income increased or decreased?
Has the number of your volunteers increased or decreased?
Has the level of services you provide increased or decreased?
Has your income from central government increased or decreased?
Has your income from donations increased or decreased?
2. How has your organisation responded to the pressures of the past few years?
Space Cell YesNoDon't know/ Not sure
Have you had to deliver different services or change your mission?
Are you working in partnerships with other organisations more than before?
Have you had to downsize?
Has it prompted your organisation to merge?
Has it prompted your organisation to consider merger?
Have you had to restructure?
3. The charities minister declared when he came into office four years ago that his priorities would be to make it easier to run a charity, get more resources into the sector, and make it easier for charities to work with the state. Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements:
Space Cell Strongly AgreeAgreeNeutral/ neitherDisagreeStrongly disagreeDon't know
The government has made it easier to run a charity
The government has succeeded in getting more resources into the sector
The government has made it easier for charities to work with the state
4. Taking into account all the government’s decisions affecting the sector, some people have said they think David Cameron’s vision of a Big Society, where voluntary action flourishes and charities have a bigger role in public service delivery, is being realized. To what extent do you agree with this?
5. Which political party has the policies or approach to the sector that would most effective when in government in helping civil society to flourish?
6. Please tell us which government initiatives on the third sector have had, or will have, the biggest impact on your charity.
Space Cell Significant impact for the betterSlight impact for the betterSlight impact for the worseSignificant impact for the worseNo impactToo early to tellDon't know
Social Impact Bonds
Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme
The Innovation in Giving Fund
The Transition Fund
Big Society Capital
Inheritance tax concessions for making 10 per cent legacies
Mutuals Taskforce
Social Action Fund
National Citizen Service
Community First
Transforming Local Infrastructure
Community Organisers programme
Right to Challenge
Community Right to Bid
Social Value Act
Social Outcomes Fund
Social Incubator Fund
Red Tape Challenge
£40 million resilience fund for 2015
Volunteer Centre Fund
Thank you for all the questions you've answered so far. If you aren't sure about the answers or in a rush it's fine to miss a question, but please do as many as you can. Think of the Amazon vouchers you could win. Think how useful your answers will be to lots of people across the sector.
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