Benefits of ‘diversity’ not fully realised in the charitable sector, report finds

Charity sector boards need to reap the full benefits of including a diverse range of voices, as well as look for new ways to collaborate and take risks to achieve their transformation goals. This is the finding of a recently published report by sector think tank, New Philanthropy Capital (NPC).

The research looks at the current and future challenges for charities in range of areas such as governance, fundraising and strategy, and suggest how organisations struggling to face those challenges can shift focus from the threats to opportunities.

As part of the State of the Sector research programme, NPC spoke with around 400 charity chief executives and trustees to take the pulse of the sector as it grapples with these issues. The findings in Charities taking charge: Transforming to face a changing world is based on qualitative and quantitative data from interviews, roundtable discussions and a survey of charity leaders.

The reports publication has been supported by a number of partners and sponsors including Odgers Berndtson which led the roundtable discussion on the topic of diversity.

Speaking about the report, Julia Oliver, Head of the Not-for-Profit Practice at Odgers Berndtson said that the report reflected the findings that the firm is seeing when hiring sector leaders. ‘We’re often asked to find chief executives, trustees and other senior people for charities needing strong commercial skills, a firm grip on governance and experience of leading cultural change.’

Find out more

Read the full research: Charities taking charge: Transforming to face a changing world