Our free research

Elizabeth Finn Care (EFC) commissioned nfpSynergy to complete a broad and ambitious two-part research project into the state of the benevolent sector, looking at current issues and challenges in the sector, and the potential for sharing resources and strategic partnerships.

Working with MissionFish, we have carried out a survey of what charities are doing with social media for the first time. We have trend data on how the wider world is using social media, the rise of the mobile internet and the penetration of broadband into society as a whole.

The follow-up to our 2009 report. As mobile phones have become more powerful and SMS donations have increased, we examine the potential and pitfalls charities face whilst making the most of this communications and fundraising avenue

This report was written to try and help organisations think about their fundraising with greater realism and to improve their chances of success. It is aimed at small organisations, those (however large) who are just starting to think about raising more voluntary income or anybody else who finds it useful.

This report grew out of one released in October 2010 - It’s competition, but not as we know it (2nd edition) – which explored what it means for charities to compete, the changing face of that competition and the different strategies charities can follow in order to thrive.

Young people have much to contribute to the governance of charities and not-for-profits, whether they work specifically with children and young people. Young people can bring a fresh perspective and new energy to decision-making, as well as making boards more diverse and representative of the general public and – for some charities – their service users. However young people are currently very under-represented in charity governance.

This report is an introductory examination of the issues of competition and strategy in the voluntary sector. Our aim is to stimulate organisations to think about how they can improve their performance overall and in comparison to their peers.

nfpSynergy has created this report to contribute to the knowledge of charities, policy makers and community organisations work¬ing to support young people involved with and affected by street violence, explore the facts about young people’s involvement in street violence and identify the groups most at risk and examine the solutions proposed by charities and not-for-profit organisations working to sup¬port young people with their needs and aspirations to prevent them becoming offenders.

The third sector is poised for huge changes. There is an upcoming general election, government budgets are about to shrink, and the economy remains fragile. So research such as this, which tries to understand the dynamics and concerns of the third sector, is even more important.

A report on using SMS and mobile phones for fundraising and campaigning. Includes our ten top tips, and case studies from other organisations.