Small Charities, Big Impact: Gearing Up for Small Charity Week 2026

Next week marks the return of Small Charity Week, and this year’s campaign title couldn’t be more fitting: "Small Charities. Big Impact."

As the infrastructure charity supporting Bath and North East Somerset’s third sector, we see the truth in this statement every single day. Small charities are the absolute backbone of our villages, towns, and city. They provide the quiet, vital lifelines that allow local people to live more healthy, happy, and connected lives.

With Small Charity Week just around the corner, we want to take a moment to celebrate the staggering impact of our local sector, reflect honestly on the pressures you are facing, and share how you can get involved and access crucial support.

The Power of Local: Our Sector by the Numbers

According to the Charity Commission, there are approximately 1,000 registered charities based right here in Bath and North East Somerset. A massive 90%+ of these are classed as "small" (organisations with an income under £1m).

Earlier this year, 3SG surveyed our members to get a clearer picture of what the local landscape looks like. The data we gathered from just 84 respondent organisations paints an incredible picture of dedication:

• 625,000 People Supported: The responding organisations collectively supported approximately 625,000 people over the 2025/6 period. This demonstrates a massive, undeniable footprint of care and support in our community.

• A Powerhouse of Volunteers: Almost all responding organisations rely on volunteers, with a total of 8,079 people giving their time.

• Carrying the Workload: In 19% of these organisations, volunteers actually conduct over 80% of the total workload.

It is profoundly heartwarming to see how much impact those who give back can have. At the same time, it is a stark reminder of how deeply our region relies on the pure generosity and dedication of individuals to keep much needed support running for vulnerable or marginalised people.

Grounded in Reality: Acknowledging the Pressures

While we celebrate this "big impact," we must remain grounded about the realities of running a small charity today. Our survey also highlighted some trends that prove why campaigns like Small Charity Week - which raise awareness of our sector's challenges - are so vital:

• At the Limit: Over half (55%) of responding organisations reported working exactly at capacity, while 14% were operating over capacity.

• Financial Anxiety: Over half of the respondents expressed that they were either extremely or moderately concerned about their long-term financial sustainability.

Operating at the absolute limit while worrying about the future is exhausting. That is why Small Charity Week isn’t just about a pat on the back; it’s about advocating for the resources, funding, and recognition that small charities rightfully deserve.

How to Get Involved Next Week

Small Charity Week is the perfect platform to amplify your voice, access free resources, and secure much-needed support. Here is how you and your networks can get involved:

1. Shout About Your Work on Social Media

We are encouraging all our members to share their stories, achievements, and daily impact. Use the hashtags #SmallCharityWeek and #SmallButMighty so the organisers, NCVO, can find, share, and celebrate your posts!

2. Access Campaign Resources & Support

You can download the official Small Charity Week resources - including logos, social media graphics, and campaign materials - directly from the official Small Charity Week website. While you're there, be sure to check out the exclusive offers available to small groups, including discounts on NCVO support.

3. Explore Match Funding Opportunities

Building beautifully on last year’s achievements, over 250 charities have been selected for Small Charity Week match funding this year. It’s a fantastic initiative, and you can learn more about how it works via the NCVO News and Insights page.

4. Guide Your Supporters to Action

If you are a supporter, donor, or business leader looking to make a difference locally, here is how you can step up next week:

• Support a local charity by donating, volunteering your skills, or attending an upcoming event.

• Raise awareness by sharing stories of both the incredible successes and the very real challenges small charities face in B&NES.

• Encourage your own networks to learn more about the vital, irreplaceable role small charities play in creating positive social change.

Celebrating Our 3SG Members

We want to close by extending our sincere thanks to our 260+ 3SG member organisations. Day in and day out, your teams - both staff and volunteers - show incredible resourcefulness and dedication to supporting people across Bath and North East Somerset.

Running a small charity comes with very real, everyday challenges, and your resilience does not go unnoticed by us. While we might be classified as "small" by financial metrics, your actual footprint in our communities is massive. We are incredibly proud to stand alongside you as your infrastructure partner, and we look forward to highlighting your invaluable work next week and beyond.

Want to make sure we share your Small Charity Week events or stories? Tag us in your posts or get in touch with the 3SG team directly!