What has been the impact of rising costs on voluntary sector organisations in Devon? Whilst we have heard a lot about how the cost-of-living crisis has affected individuals and households, we at DCF were also keen to learn more about the organisational side of things.
As a community foundation established to enable voluntary sector organisations to maximise their potential to benefit Devon residents, we know how important the health and sustainability of the sector is.
From December 2022 to early January 2023, we surveyed almost 170 VCSE organisations from across the county. This learning will help us plan targeted grant schemes that meet the needs of our sector going forward.
69% of respondents said their organisation had seen rising demand for their services, with 60% reporting an increased level of need in the individuals using their services. A fifth said they were struggling to meet that demand, with waiting lists lengthening. Around half of the respondents said their organisation was hoping to expand their operations.
75% of organisations report significant challenges with meeting their organisation’s core costs; over half have seen a significant drop in fundraising income from the public. 42% say they are having to dip into reserves to maintain services and cover overheads. Over half reported they were finding it difficult to plan ahead as a result of the uncertainty, and were reluctant to take risks in the near future
There is an overwhelming concern for the well-being of staff and volunteers, facing a double whammy of increased pressure of work, alongside pressure on their own household finances in a poorly paid sector. Recruitment and retention of staff and volunteers is a huge issue for organisations struggling to meet the needs of vulnerable Devon residents. A quarter of survey respondents are taking or considering steps to review staff salaries and volunteer expenses, along with other terms and conditions.
We will be providing a full Cost of Living report soon so stay tuned!
