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Capacitybuilders’ second recession survey shows support providers face falling income and rising demand

12/2/2009

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Demand for support from frontline third sector organisations continues to rise whilst more support providers report a fall in income and are exploring collaboration or merger.

Capacitybuilders second survey

Capacitybuilder’s second survey of third sector support providers highlights the continuing impact of the recession on the sector. Key findings include:

  • high level of demand for support services continuing, with 79% of local support providers reporting increased demand over last twelve months
  • nearly half of support providers surveyed report reduced income over the last twelve months, (42% report fall, 28% report increase)
  • 85% of support providers are exploring increased collaboration and more than half (54%) are considering merger.

Matt Leach, Capacitybuilders Chief Executive commented on the recent findings: "The report highlights the increased demand for support and advice from frontline groups arising from the economic downturn, and the importance of ensuring that strong and resilient local organisations exist to meet that need. Support providers are having to look hard at how to maintain levels of service in the face of continued high levels of demand and pressure on income. Effective partnership and collaboration at a local level and strong relationships with local government will become even more important to ensure the needs of frontline groups and the communities continue to be met".

£30m invested

Over the current financial year, Capacitybuilders is providing more than £30m of investment, including direct support to third sector organisations to help them meet the challenges of the economic downturn. Capacitybuilders will also continue to gather and share intelligence about how the recession is affecting third sector organisations across the country. This will enable those providing support to third sector organisations, and those who fund them, to plan more effectively.

Download the surveys from the building resilience area of this website, or the tools library, or by clicking on the links below.

Survey 1 - July 2009

Survey 2 - November 2009.