Over 50 years of making charities stronger

DSC is celebrating something really special – over 50 years of supporting charities!

Over the coming months, we’ll be reflecting on our journey as a charity as well as looking at just how far the sector has come during that time.

Since DSC was founded, our circumstances have changed massively — from starting at a table in Michael Norton’s (our founder’s) house, to growing into two offices, and now operating fully remotely. But throughout it all, our purpose has remained clear: to help charities become stronger, so they can make the biggest possible difference in the world around them.

And while the last 50 years have brought enormous progress, they’ve also brought real challenges – for us, and for the sector as a whole. From changes in government policy to the lasting impact of COVID-19, charities have had to work harder than ever just to stay afloat – let alone thrive.

Yet despite all this, the sector continues to show incredible resilience, passion, and purpose. Charities have been – and always will be – a vital force for positive change. They strengthen communities, champion people’s rights, and help society grow in ways that truly matter.

This campaign is about recognising that journey – and saying thank you to the people who make it possible.

We recently launched a survey asking for stories on how we’ve helped you and your charities over the years. Here are a few responses we’d love to share:

“DSC has been a go-to place for information and resources, access to articles and news about trends and policy, training courses and professional development opportunities, and not least, publications about sources of funding. I also won a copy of Alan Lawrie’s book – Business and Strategic Planning for Voluntary Organisations – many years ago, full of templates, case studies, and benchmarks, a great resource for developing an organisation’s planning processes, practices, and procedures. Congratulations on achieving your first 50 year milestone, here’s to the next 50 years of DSC!” – Cynthia Roomes, Head of Development, Brixton House

“The Directory of Social Change has helped me during my 43 years fundraising for the Brixton BMX Club, ever since it has taken over the publishing and compiling the fundraising book, The Directory of Grant Making Trusts, from the Charities Aid Foundation. I did go to the DSC shop they used to have in Euston, to find out what other useful fundraising books they had. Also I am still using to this day the Directory of Grant Making Trusts book and getting numerous small grants to keep the Brixton BMX Club going and this is how I am a specialist in trusts and foundations in terms of successful fundraising thanks to this book which I use in my local reference library in Brixton in South London.” – Ken Floyde B.E.M. BCAc, Chairman and Founder, Brixton BMX Club

“I started my role as CEO 6 months before the first lockdown. I was new to being a CEO, and DSC was one of my go-to sources of information. The funding/fundraising conference you put on during lockdown was a life-saver and helped us to fill an £80k gap in our finances. Over the years we have attended training, purchased books and resources, including policy templates, campaigning and more. You are like a trusted friend who has our back.” – Carolyn Webster, CEO CLEAR Emotional Trauma and Therapy Specialists

We’d love to hear your story on how we’ve helped you over the years

Your insights will help us:

• Celebrate the progress we’ve made together
• Showcase the difference our work has had across the sector
• Shape the next chapter of support for charities like yours

This short survey will only take a few minutes to answer, and your voice will help us celebrate all that’s been achieved and inspire what comes next. Fill it in here.

As a thank you, everyone who fills in the survey will be entered into a prize draw, five people will win a free ticket to the conference of their choice.

Follow this campaign as it continues through to March 2026 by signing up to DSC’s Daily Bulletin here.