Mark Lyttleton is the founder of Percent For Good, a new movement that enables professionals to donate 1% of their salary to worthy causes, contributing to the long-term improvement of society. All charities supported by Percent For Good have limited resources compared to the mega charities that most people have heard of. Nevertheless, with regular support, they each have the potential to achieve a huge impact. This article will focus on small and mid-sized charities and the invaluable contributions they make to the lives of millions of people across the UK.
Some small charities work locally, building relationships in the community, while others work on the ground in some of the world’s poorest countries. Even tiny organisations can have a game-changing impact, raising living standards, alleviating suffering and saving lives.
In the UK, 97% of registered charities are defined as small charities, having an income of less than £1 million; 47% of these are defined as micro charities, with an annual income of under £10,000. Despite accounting for the vast majority of British charities, small and micro charities receive just 20% of charitable donations in the UK.
Small charities play an invaluable role in communities across the country and beyond, providing essential services, support and jobs and adding high value to individuals, communities and the economy. Despite operating on a shoestring budget, small charities can achieve amazing things. However, it is harder for them to raise awareness, income and support for their cause, as small charities have less resources and manpower to make the magic happen.
According to The Lloyds Bank Foundation’s The Value of Small report, smaller, local charities combine three distinctive elements that set them apart from larger charities and public-sector providers in terms of how they support people and communities.
- Who Small Charities Serve and What They Do
Small charities plug gaps left by other organisations, acting as ‘first responders’ to those in crisis. Many small and micro charities provide safe, familiar spaces where service users can receive practical support or connect with other local services thanks to the charity’s extensive local networks.
- How Small Charities Work
Focusing on person-centric relationships over an extended period of time, small charities are known for their ‘open-door’ approach and in-depth understanding of local issues, enabling them to make quick decisions thanks to flatter management structures. Small charities also tend to reflect the diversity of their local communities more closely through staff and volunteers.
- The Role Small Charities Play in Communities
Leveraging well-established, far-reaching networks, small charities are the ‘glue’ that hold communities together, helping people grappling with local issues such as service fragmentation and funding cuts.
Small charities use donations in a variety of ways depending on their focus and the needs of their service users. While some focus on essential research – for example, developing groundbreaking new medical treatments – others provide invaluable support in the community, supporting families with young children by providing playgroups, home visits and practical help with things like cleaning and cooking.
Animal charities provide care and support, with their services ranging from rehoming pets and providing medical treatment to rescuing animals from dangerous environments. Others small charities protect wildlife and the environment, performing vital work such as restoring habitats, implementing tree-planting programmes and campaigning for better environmental awareness, as well as lobbying for better government policies to protect wildlife habitats.
The great thing about giving to small charities is that it paves the way for laser-focussed donations that have maximum impact. While larger charities tend to tackle a broad range of issues, small charities typically focus their resources on niche areas. By supporting smaller nonprofit organisations, donors can have a more personal and tangible impact, in some instances witnessing the results of their generosity firsthand. In addition, with lower overheads, small charities are often more cost effective, ensuring that a higher percentage of each donation reaches the root cause it is intended for.
