At NAVCA, we use evidence to demonstrate the value and impact of our members. At the end of the 2023/24 financial year, we asked our members about their priorities, concerns, funding, and changes in income and expenditure.
In 2022/23, we found that our members support over 165,000 small charities and community groups in their local area. Building on these findings, we asked members what their priorities and concerns were in 2024, finding that 'capacity building of the VCSE sector' and 'support for volunteering' were the top two priorities, and that 'financial sustainability' and 'future of the VCSE sector' were the top two concerns.
We found that expenditure had increased whilst income had decreased, reflecting challenges such as the cost of living crisis and cuts in local government funding. We also found that NAVCA members employ over 3650 people, but that there are significant impacts caused by precarious funding.
You can explore the research further by checking out the infographic below, where you will also find last year's survey results.
We will continue to use research, data and analysis to build a clearer picture of the state of local infrastructure in England, supporting our members by focusing on their priorities and concerns.
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![Section – Income and Spending in year to 31 March 2021
• combined income £173m
• combined spending £157m
• NAVCA members by annual income:
o 16% - under £250k
o 59% - £250k-£1M
o 25% - £1M plus
• Sources of income: [ref Fig.6]
o 35.7% - local government
o 21.3% - NHS /statutory health bodies
o 18.0% - grant making trusts and foundations
o 6.5% - income from buildings/room hire
o 5.8% - central government
o 2.4% - membership fees / charges
• Type of income: [ref Fig.7]
o 54.2% - grants
o 33.5% - contracts
o 9.2% earned income
o 1.6% – donations and legacies
• Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Local Infrastructure finances in 2020-21:
o Income increased by 18% [increase per year 2016-2020 was 4%]
o Expenditure increased by 11% [increase per year 2016-2020 was 2%]](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65f03713c1b91171910c63a5/65f03713c1b91171910c6531_Panel-2-Infographic.png)
![Leadership and Advocacy on behalf of VCSE sector
o Seat at local strategic tables:
Integrated health and care arrangements – 89%
Health and wellbeing board – 71%
Local resilience forum – 69%
Local strategic partnership – 68%
Community safety partnership – 56%
o High participation and influence by VCSE in local strategies [ref Fig.14]
VCSE / civil society strategy – 78%
Community strategies – 70%
Health and wellbeing strategies – 70%
Integrated care strategies – 57%
Service commissioning frameworks – 33%
Partnerships and Collaboration
o Strong / positive relationships between local infrastructure organisations and:
Community based groups – 96%
Other local support organisations – 93%
Larger service delivery voluntary organisations – 87%
Volunteer only groups – 83%
Groups representing racially minoritised communities – 74%
Groups representing disabled people – 69%
o Strong / positive relationships between local infrastructure organisations and external stakeholders:
Local council officers (second tier local authorities) – 91%
NHS Commissioners and Providers – 86%
Local grant making trusts and foundations – 84%
Local council officers (top tier local authorities) – 83%
Local Councillors (second tier authorities) – 79%
Local Councillors (top tier authorities) – 57%](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/65f03713c1b91171910c63a5/65f03713c1b91171910c6535_Panel-4-Infographic.png)
