State of the Sector IV

The State of the Sector IV research adds to the already broad and in-depth knowledge of the sector by examining many of the key issues currently affecting and shaping it.

Therefore the fourth edition will look at the size, scope and nature of the various and diverse sub-sectors that constitute the voluntary and community sector.

Key findings include:

• Current estimates place the overall size of the voluntary and community sector in the region of 4,500 organisations.
• Community development and education and training are the most common primary purposes of organisations in the voluntary and community sector (16.9% and 14.9% respectively)
• The total income of the sector was £614.56 million in 2003/04 falling by 10% (£72.9 million), in real terms, since 2000/01.
• The general public gives £199 million (32% of total income) to the sector. This equates to £12.72 per person per month.
• Total expenditure in 2003/04 was £590.59 million. This equates to 96.1% of total income.
• Staff costs accounted for 52.9% of total expenditure (£312.32 million)
• Total assets of the voluntary and community sector were worth £755.84 million in 2003/04.
• There are an estimated 28,932 paid employees in the voluntary and community sector. Seven out of every ten employees are females.
• There are an estimated 75,780 volunteers formally attached to voluntary and community organisations.