About us

NCVO champions and strengthens the voluntary sector, with over 10,000 members, from the largest charities to the smallest community organisations. We make sure the voluntary sector can do what it does best.

There are thousands of voluntary sector organisations in the UK. Every day, across the country, millions give them their time, energy and money. And for over 90 years, NCVO has brought the voluntary sector’s people together: to solve problems, address root causes, and inspire each other.

We know the power of the voluntary sector. No one organisation can solve society’s challenges alone. But collectively, we’re all vital for sustaining society in times of challenge and change.

That’s why, inspired and empowered by our members, NCVO champions and strengthens the voluntary sector: by making sure Government knows its true value, and making sure it can continue to do what it does best.

Because a vibrant and thriving voluntary sector improves the world around it.

Find out more about our vision for the future in Civil society: a framework for action (PDF, 236 KB), published 2009.

Our members

With just over 10,000 diverse organisations in our membership, we are helping a third of the voluntary sector workforce in England keep up to date with all the news and developments that affect them. We’re here to help the sector make even more of a difference.

Find out more about NCVO membership.

Meet some of our staff

From membership to advice and support and public policy, we have a number of teams who you might need to get in contact with.

Find out who's who and read our staff blogs.

Our history

NCVO started in 1919 as the National Council of Social Services, following a legacy from Edward Vivian Birchall who died of wounds in France during World War I.

Since then we have continued to support the sector and speak to government against an ever-changing social background. Many now well-established voluntary organisations started out as projects within NCVO, including Age Concern, Citizens Advice Bureaux and Community Matters.

Read about our history.

How we are run

NCVO is governed by a 12-person Trustee Board and our 50-strong Member Assembly, which reflects the breadth of NCVO membership across the voluntary sector. Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts CBE is the President of NCVO.

Find out more about our governance.