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The Directory of Social Change has a vision of an independent voluntary sector at the heart of social change. We believe that the activities of charities and other voluntary organisations are crucial to the health of our society.
Through our publications, courses and conferences, we come in contact with over 35,000 organisations each year. The majority are small to medium sized, rely on volunteers and are struggling to maintain and improve the services they provide.
We are not a membership body, but our public commentary and the policy positions we take are based on clear principles, and are informed by the contact we have with these organisations. We also undertake campaigns on issues that affect them or which evolve out of our research.
We view our role as that of a ‘concerned citizen’, acting as a champion on behalf of those organisations whose needs may not be accounted for in public policy. We ask critical questions, often challenge the prevailing view, and try to promote debate on issues we consider to be important.
Campaigns and research
Great Giving Campaign
DSC’s Great Giving campaign originates from our principle of Responsible Giving. We want to support and help develop best practice among those organisations that give to charities and other voluntary organisations.
Our campaign has four themes, which are supported by DSC research. We want to achieve:
1. A clear picture of the funding environment
2. Accessible funding for campaigning
3. An end to hidden small print
4. No ineligible applications
Find out more about the Great Giving campaign
Election Pledges
DSC is calling for political parties to consider five election pledges we believe will improve the relationship between charities and government at little or no cost. The ‘election pledges’, short statements of principle which include some key examples, focus on the importance of local grant funding, the effectiveness of the Office of the Third Sector (OTS), the availability of grant funding terms and conditions, government’s consultation process, and the importance of research in policy-making. Read more.
Recent DSC reports
- Critical Conditions: Investigating the Transparency of Grant Terms and Conditions (full report) [pdf document]
- Critical Conditions: Investigating the Transparency of Grant Terms and Conditions - Summary Findings [pdf document]
- DSC’s full response to the Compact Refresh [pdf document].
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DSC response to the consultation on Social Investment Wholesale Bank [pdf document].