The pressures of uncertainty: Briefing 1 for trusts and foundations on the challenges faced by VCSE leaders during the Covid-19 crisis
IVAR (Ben Cairns, Emily Dyson, Liz Firth)
IVAR - Institute for Voluntary Action Research
27 April 2020
This briefing shares the experiences of the first 23 leaders participating in IVAR's support sessions for leaders of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. The briefing covers reflections on the questions and opportunities for funders that they raise. Further briefings will follow as new groups meet.
Key leadership issues
- manic initial phase of adjustment
- sense of personal responsibility
- moral and practical dilemmas, eg around closing services or staffing
- new team management challenges
Opportunities and risks
- radical shift in use of technology
- risk of inequalities being exacerbated
- shared leadership and more self-led decision making
Funding and Fundraising
- most funders are showing flexibility, eg project funding allowed to be used for core
- many are extending grants / grant periods
- but new grant allocations have stalled, with some funders have delayed annual decisions re funds and deadlines are being missed/ postponed.
- organisations are needing to make decisions about drawing down new money or holding back funds for longer-term solutions and sustainability.
- emergency funds are flowing now, but what will picture look like when state steps back? Can funders start thinking around this?
What next for funders? Need to build collective intelligence about the pattern of need and funding - this will help plan strategies and set priorities for future, maintaining current collaborative approach.
Last modified on 18 May 2020
