Understanding the Benevolent Sector

Full Findings Report: Introduction

By, Michele Madden, Jennifer Shea, Mhairi
Guild, Jonathan Baker and Clare Huxley
September 2011

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.


The research process comprised a three-phase desk, qualitative and quantitative research programme. The desk-research started in September 2010, the interviews took place in November and December 2010 and the quantitative element from November 2010 to January 2011.

Advocacy, Activism and Funding Contracts

The purpose of refugee agencies is to provide material aid to refugees and asylum seekers, advocate for them, defend their rights and represent their views and interests to the public and the government. Refugees, and asylum seekers in particular, are exceptionally unpopular in the public imagination as a result of a media and political discourse that depicts them as dishonest, opportunistic and a burden on UK society. Therefore, the work of refugee agencies is highly politicised.

How’s Your Relationship With Your Funder?

Funders and donors are sometimes wealthy individuals, often they're big organisations or Trusts. Something useful I learnt a while ago was that we should treat them all similarly in regards to the relationship  we have with them.