Our research reports focus on a range of issues affecting charities.

The findings from our research help us promote good practice, develop policy and produce guidance for charities. The reports generally present findings from surveys, interviews and focus groups with charities. We also consult umbrella and advisory bodies.

Current research

We are conducting research into perceptions, knowledge and experience of the impact on charities of the renewed emphasis on the public benefit requirement in the Charities Act 2006. It is being carried out by a team from the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR) and the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research (CVSR) at Sheffield Hallam University. The research is taking place between January and April 2012.

Recent research reports:

• Consortia for the delivery of public services: the issues for small and medium-sized charities - focuses on the experiences of charities that deliver public services by joining forces and working together as a consortium.
• Public Benefit Reporting by Charities - a study by Sheffield Hallam University into how successfully registered charities have got to grips with the public benefit reporting requirement. With an initial analysis from the Charity Commission.
• Strength in Numbers: small charities' experience of working together - focuses on small charities' experiences of collaborating and explores the issues and challenges they face when doing so. It is based on a survey of charities with annual incomes of £250,000 and below.
• A Breath of Fresh Air: young people as charity trustees - identifies potential solutions to the barriers that prevent more young people taking up trustee positions. The report looks at strategies to encourage more young people to become young trustees, including a practical checklist and list of useful resources.
• Public trust and confidence in charities - research by Ipsos Mori into public attitudes towards charities and the key drivers of trust and confidence. With an initial analysis from the Charity Commission
• Charities in an economic downturn - a snapshot of how trusts and foundations are responding in the current financial climate

You can view our full list of research reports on our published guidance page.