https://www.cranfieldtrust.org/articles/human-led-and-relational-support-crucial-for-small-charities
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264<!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) --> 265 266 267 <a href="#skip_title" class="skip">Skip to title</a> 268 <a href="#skip_content" class="skip">Skip to main content</a> 269 270 <div id="cover"></div> 271<div id="window"> 272 <div id="modal"></div> 273</div> 274 275 276 <div id="wrapper"> 277 <div id="page" class="no-sidebars"> 278 279 <div id="cookie"><div class="holder"> 280 281 <div class="message">We gather anonymised analytics data on website usage unless you opt out.</div> 282 <div class="buttons"><button type="button" onclick="gtOptin()" class="button">OK</button> <button type="button" onclick="gtOptout()" class="secondary button">Opt out</button></div> 283 284</div></div> 285 286 287 <div id="header" role="banner"><div class="holder"> 288 289 <div id="logo"> 290 <a href="/"><img alt="Cranfield Trust" src="https://hubble-live-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/cranfield-trust/theme/logo/1/logo_CT_Logo_8.png" /></a> 291 </div><div id="navbar"> 292 293 <div id="highlight"> 294 295 <ul class="menu highlight"><li class=" highlight"><a class="" href="/pages/5-make-a-donation">Donate</a></li></ul> 296 297 </div> 298 <div id="primary" role="navigation" aria-label="Main navigation"> 299 300 <ul class="menu"> 301<li class=""><a class="" href="/pages/pro-bono-charity-support">Pro bono charity support</a></li> 302<li class=""><a class="" href="/pages/volunteer-with-us">Volunteer</a></li> 303<li class="trail"><a class="trail " href="/pages/-about-us">About us</a></li> 304<li class=" highlight"><a class="" href="/pages/5-make-a-donation">Donate</a></li> 305</ul> 306 307 </div> 308 </div> 309 310 </div></div> 311 312 <a name="skip_title"></a> 313 <div id="banner"> 314 <div class="image"> 315 <div class="border top"></div> 316 <div class="holder"> 317 <div class="wrapper"> 318 <div class=""> 319 <div class="frame yield"> 320 <div class="image"> 321 <div class="frame fill"> 322 <img alt="" src="https://hubble-live-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/cranfield-trust/image_asset/file/3327/tile_fill_Right_support__right_time_Insights_from_across_the_sector_cover.png" /> 323 </div> 324 </div> 325 <div class="content"> 326 <h1>Human-led and relational support crucial for small charities</h1> 327 <div class="tags"> 328 <div class="mdi mdi-calendar">16 Jun 2026</div> 329 </div> 330 </div> 331 </div> 332 </div> 333 </div> 334 </div> 335 </div> 336 </div> 337 338 339 340 341 342 <div id="main" role="main"><div class="holder"> 343 344 345 346 347 348 <div id="content"> 349 350 <a name="skip_content"></a> 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 <div id="region-blocks"> 360 <div id="blocks"> 361 362 <div id="block-3738" class="block content_block"> 363 <div class="frame yield"> 364 <div class=" image_above"><div class=" wrap"> 365 <div class="text"> 366 <p>New research from Cranfield Trust, delivered with pro bono support from nfpResearch, highlights the pressures facing small charities and the types of specialist and targeted support that will have the biggest impact for charities and the sector in the years ahead. </p> 367<p>Drawing on the perspectives of funders, charity leaders, volunteers and staff, the findings released in the new report, <em>Right support, right time: Insights from the sector</em>, present a picture of a sector working under sustained strain, but clear on the value of practical, relational support that strengthens leadership and organisational resilience.</p> 368<p>During March 2026, Cranfield Trust undertook research to better understand how the needs of charities and notâforâprofit organisations are evolving. From the 368 stakeholder responses, a consistent message emerged: charity leaders are balancing rising demand with increasingly challenging fundraising conditions and need support that is both specialist, accessible and human-centred to navigate this environment c
368onfidently.</p> 369 </div> 370 </div></div> 371 </div> 372</div> 373 374 <div id="block-3739" class="block file_block"> 375 <div class="frame yield"> 376 <div class=""> 377 <div class="file"> 378 <div class="icon mdi mdi-paperclip"></div><div class="attributes"> 379 <div class="description">Read the full report, Right support, right time: Insights from the sector</div> 380 <div class="metadata">PDF (544 KB)</div> 381 </div><div class="download"><a class="secondary button mdi mdi-download" target="_blank" href="https://hubble-live-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/cranfield-trust/file_asset/file/3326/Right_time_right_support_sector_insights_from_Cranfield_Trust_Web.pdf">Download</a></div> 382 </div> 383 </div> 384 </div> 385</div> 386 387 <div id="block-3736" class="block content_block"> 388 <div class="frame yield"> 389 <div class=" image_above"><div class=" wrap"> 390 <div class="text"> 391 <h4><strong>Summary of findings</strong></h4> 392<h4> 393Financial pressure remains the most pressing challenge, but itâs not the whole story</h4> 394<p>Across all four stakeholder groups, income generation and fundraising were identified as the most significant challenge for small charities. Twoâthirds of funders, charities and volunteers and 94% of Cranfield Trust staff highlighted this as their most significant concern. However, the research also highlights a balanced set of other pressures that are impacting on organisational resilience.<br><br>Charities pointed to succession planning, leadership wellbeing, governance and longâterm strategy as areas of growing concern. Funders particularly emphasised leadership capacity and wellbeing, reflecting the increasing strain on those leading small and mediumâsized organisations. Volunteers, who work closely with charities through Cranfield Trustâs pro bono consultancy and mentoring, also highlighted governance and board effectiveness as areas where charities need more support.<br><br></p> 395<h4>Clear priorities for training and future development</h4> 396<p>When asked about future training needs, stakeholders echoed these challenges. Income generation was again the most frequently cited need, followed by:</p> 397<ul><li>Organisational resilience and risk management</li><li>Strategy and planning</li><li>Digital capability</li><li>Leadership development and succession planning</li><li>Impact measurement and evaluation</li></ul> 398<p>Charity leaders stressed the importance of support that is highâquality, practical and easy to access. As one respondent shared: âFree, highâquality training is so valuable when budgets are being squeezed.â</p><h4>Charities want short, practical training and human connections</h4><p>The research highlights that charities think they will need more short, practical training in the years to come. Respondents also emphasised the value of trusted online resources and webinars, which offer flexibility, reach and immediate accessibility. This reflects a wider need for support that is timely, relevant and easy to access, enabling leaders to build capability without stepping away from frontline responsibilities.</p> 399<p>They also highlighted the need for clearer pathways to the right support at the right time, supported by technology where appropriate, but stakeholders also highlighted the importance of human judgement, trusted relationships and space for reflection. This was particularly evident in feedback on oneâtoâone support.</p><h4>Oneâtoâone consultancy and mentoring remain highly impactful</h4> 400<p>All stakeholder groups identified oneâtoâone consultancy as one of the most effective forms of support. Charities described it as âincredibly valuableâ and âtransformativeâ, particularly because of its sustained, relationshipâbased approach.<br><br>Mentoring and peerâtoâpeer support also featured strongly, especially for leaders who may feel isolated in their roles. Funders, volunteers and charities all placed mentoring in their top priorities for future development, recognising its role in supporting leadership confidence and wellbeing.<br><br>As one funder noted: âCranfield seems to be able to listen well and support charities to find solutions in a timescale that makes a difference for the client. This is gold dust.â</p><h4>Pro bono expertise remains vital</h4> 401<p>The research reinforces the vital role of independent, specialist pro bono support. Stakeholders described the value of âfresh eyesâ, constructive challenge and a safe space for honest conversations, support that is often inaccessible to small charities</p> 402<p>Free access to support important but requires sustainable funding</p> 403<p>When asked what should matter most in shaping the future, charities most frequently selected access to free or low-cost support. While funders and volunteers highlighted the need for sustainable investment in charity infrastru
403cture to ensure that access does not come at the expense of quality or longâterm viability.</p> 404<h4>Cranfield Trustâs commitment to the sector</h4> 405<p>Across all audiences, there was a shared ambition for Cranfield Trust to continue as the goâto provider of pro bono management support for small charities. The findings will shape the Trustâs future strategy and strengthen its commitment to helping build a more resilient and sustainable sector.</p> 406<p>The Trust also recognises that no single organisation can meet the full range of support needs facing the sector. By sharing these findings, Cranfield Trust aims to support wider reflection and collaboration across the ecosystem of organisations working to strengthen charities.</p> 407 </div> 408 </div></div> 409 </div> 410</div> 411 412 <div id="block-3737" class="block content_block"> 413 <div class="frame yield"> 414 <div class=" image_above"><div class="box wrap"> 415 <div class="text"> 416 <p>Dan Francis, Cranfield Trust CEO said:</p><blockquote>âThis research gives us a clear and honest picture of the pressures facing charities, and clear direction for the support that will make the greatest difference and impact. Charity leaders are working incredibly hard in challenging circumstances, often without the specialist skills or resources they need around them and our findings have highlighted the importance of humanâled, relational support that provides a trusted space, insight and reassurance when it is needed most.</blockquote><blockquote>"By listening closely to the sector, we can ensure our services remain practical, relevant and grounded in the realities charities face every day. Cranfield Trust will continue to stand alongside leaders, helping them build the confidence, resilience and clarity needed to guide their organisations into the future. We are deeply grateful to nfpResearch for their pro bono support and to everyone who shared their insight and thoughts.â</blockquote> 417 </div> 418 </div></div> 419 </div> 420</div> 421 422 423</div> 424 425 </div> 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 </div> 435 436 437 438 </div></div> 439 440 <div id="trailer"><div class="holder"> 441 <div id="region-signposts"> 442 </div> 443 <div id="articles-block-related"> 444 445 </div> 446 </div></div> 447 448 449 <div id="ribbon" role="contentinfo"> 450 <div class="border top"></div> 451 <div class="cover"></div> 452 <div class="holder"> 453 <div class=""> 454 <div class="frame"> 455 456<div class="block social"> 457 <ul> 458 <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cranfieldtrust/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Follow us on Facebook"><img alt="" role="presentation" src="/assets/social-facebook-a050873c225ffef05288438971ad3e10f09d77a6c0e2da183704e5dcb69a9eca.png" /></a></li> 459 <li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/organization-guest/company/cranfield-trust?challengeId=AQGdTWUc4uuBfQAAAXL_7CBAOMeZtdFsfK4TOUpwiYEjZxY5auaVToeYxkolEbbPaP3H1PS8ztKlJDgP96nXqpccgbJiZsaIMA&submissionId=955d35b0-9001-1d16-84c5-3cf1cfa6f931" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Follow us on LinkedIn"><img alt="" role="presentation" src="/assets/social-linkedin-97e02e248bd2a910a68819731f1db2f548a511b14b0b1c382e131e419488b1e2.png" /></a></li> 460 <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIqyBab38Iy6V7xzl5_ObCg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Follow us on YouTube"><img alt="" role="presentation" src="/assets/social-youtube-9aeda2e009937cd115b7f0063c541ebeb154c53e04ee1f594f8d31425ac269ed.png" /></a></li> 461 </ul> 462</div> 463 464 <div class="block menu"> 465 466 <ul class="menu"> 467<li class=""><a class="" href="/pages/mailinglist">Webinar Alerts</a></li> 468<li class=""><a class="" href="/pages/-media">Media enquiries</a></li> 469<li class=""><a class="" href="/pages/contact-us">Contact us</a></li> 470<li class=""><a class="" href="/pages/footer-work-with-us">Work with us</a></li> 471<li class=""><a class="" href="/pages/31-privacy">Privacy</a></li> 472<li class=""><a class="" href="/pages/fundraising-regulator--">
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