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.
Phase 1: Desk research, collation and analysis of existing information
An intensive desk-research phase established a picture of the current market status of the
benevolent sector as of late 2010. Key sources for this phase included data from Caritas Data
Financials, the Directory of Social Change, and nfpSynergy’s own databases and sources.
Phase 2: Qualitative interviews, understanding the issues facing the
benevolent sector and possibilities for joint working and partnerships
In-depth interviews were completed to understand the issues in the broader context of the
individual benevolent organisations as well as the sector as a whole. These interviews were
undertaken with 26 benevolent organisations (with annual grant-giving to individuals ranging
from £97,000 to over £8 million) plus four interviews with private-sector organisations,
including Corporate Social Responsibility directors in major banking, electricity and water
companies and a commercial Employee Assistance Programme provider.
Phase 3: Survey of a sample of benevolent organisations
A quantitative survey of a larger sample of benevolent organisations enabled us to fill in
gaps and to obtain more detailed aspects of this information that are not available in public
sources. The online survey went live in the middle of November with email invitations sent to
a contact list provided by EFC and Turn2Us in December 2010. A paper invitation was also
distributed to those with no email details. The survey closed at the end of January 2011, and
116 completed surveys were recorded.
Findings from the sector survey are found throughout the report where relevant, and a full set
of charts to accompany this report was also produced detailing all survey findings.
The full report can be found at: http://www.elizabethfinncare.org.uk/downloads/publications/ID320_EFC_UTBS_report_3.pdf
