Small but mighty – why charitable organisations need backing

Written by: Sarah Walkley: Sustainability Adviser, Writer, Researcher, and Link UP London Skilled Volunteer

Jun 2025

Small voluntary organisations make a big difference to our communities. Rooted in their local context, they understand conditions on the ground and tailor their support accordingly. It’s what makes these small organisations so valuable. But their small size also makes them vulnerable, as they have to ‘do it all’ with limited resources. That is where Skilled Volunteers come in.

There are over 130,000 micro or small charities in the UK, operating on an income of less than £100,000 per year. Almost one in five is based in London.

Small charities play a distinctive role in their community, making a bigger impact than their size would suggest. They are hyper-local — often acting as the ‘first response’ to emerging issues. Set up by individuals with lived experience of an issue, they have an instinctive understanding of what it takes to address the issue locally. They listen to their community, build strong networks and respond quickly to what they hear. This means they are deeply embedded in and trusted by their community.

But small charities also have unique challenges, the NCVO highlights. A small group of individuals are responsible for everything from strategy and marketing to service delivery. Budgets are tight — and made tighter by the lack of access to long-term funding opportunities. They also lack a voice in policymaking — they know what is happening on the ground, but with so few resources at their disposal, it’s hard to find the time to lobby for the needs of their community or the wider small charities sector.

Practical and carefully targeted support can quickly help small organisations address many of their challenges and unlock their superpowers.

They want greater opportunities to network and connect with similar organisations that share their challenges, but also their vision for their community. It enables them to learn from each other, but also find ways to create greater impact. We’ve seen this bear fruit repeatedly, for example through Community Tech Aid that connects to other organisations across Lambeth and Southwark such as the Healthy Living Platform and Brixton & Norwood foodbanks. These connections mean that computer devices and advice were supplied through the food bank’s network, getting support straight into the hands of those who need it most.

NCVO research also confirmed what we already knew — that small charities want the support of Skilled Volunteers with strategy, governance and finance issues. But these interventions should be mediated by organisations that understand the specific challenges of the third sector — organisations that can tailor support to individual organisations and busy schedules; organisations like Link UP London. Small organisations don’t have the time or capacity to work out how they apply general advice within their organisation.

Our range of interventions from a one-hour Lunch & Learn to a three-month Skilled Volunteering project provide small charities with flexible options. They can provide tips and ideas to launch a campaign on LinkedIn or build a bank of marketing images using just your phone or cover a longer and more in-depth review of systems, processes or HR practice. It depends on the needs of the organisation. We work with organisations individually to understand what’s most beneficial to them.

Small charities can have a profound impact on our communities if they are given the support they need. At Link UP London, we are all about giving this group the help they need to shape their destinies and those of the community around them. If you are a professional willing to offer support or a small charity in need of support, please reach out.