We spot patterns
Across our projects we collect the questions that keep coming back, not the ones that sound good in a report.
Research
Research for a stronger social sector.
In more than 105 consulting projects we see the same questions come up again and again. We study them across many organisations and share what we find, free and in plain language, so that one project's lesson helps the whole sector.
Why we do research
One project helps one organisation. Research helps the sector.
In our consulting projects we see the same structural problems again and again: funding that depends on a single source, work that depends on single people, impact that is counted but not measured. Advising one organisation solves one of these cases.
Our research looks at the patterns behind them. We compare many organisations, find out what the resilient ones do differently and publish it in plain language, so that practitioners, funders and researchers can act on it.
How our research works
From our projects, back into practice
Our research starts where our consulting work stops, and what we learn flows straight back into the next project.
We ask many organisations
Surveys and interviews show whether a pattern holds beyond one case, and what separates the organisations that cope well.
We publish openly
Every study and brief is free, and each one ends with steps a small team can take with little money and little time.
We use it in projects
Our consulting teams work with the findings, so the next organisation we advise starts from what the sector already knows.
Focus areas
Four questions we keep coming back to
Operating models
How can organisations with few resources build structures that are robust and ready to scale?
Funding and resilience
How do organisations get out of dependency on a single funder, and what helps them plan long term?
People and volunteering
What makes volunteers stay, and how can work stop depending on a few key people?
Impact measurement
How can small teams measure what actually changes, and use the numbers for decisions instead of only for reports?
Publications
Studies and briefs
An annual study goes deep. Short briefs turn one finding into something you can start with next week.
Annual study · February 2026
Pole Position for Impact
A blueprint for resilient, scalable operating models. Based on a survey of 21 social organisations, the study identifies five levers with the biggest effect: volunteer recognition, lean impact measurement, diversified funding, documented processes and connected communication.
21Social organisations surveyed
5Levers with the biggest effect
24%Collect no systematic impact data
33%Get over 80% of their budget from one source
Briefs in progress
Recognition before recruitment
Volunteer appreciation on a zero budget: feedback talks, visible thanks and small rituals that keep people.
Three indicators are enough
How small teams can measure outcomes every quarter without a data team.
One funder is none
First steps out of financial dependency: map your funding risk and build a pipeline over three years.
Get involved
Research works better with more voices
Take part in a survey
Social organisations that answer our next survey get their own benchmark: where they stand compared with organisations like them.
Use our findings
Funders, networks and researchers are welcome to use and share our publications. We are happy to present them to your team.
Bring us a question
Is there something the social sector should know but nobody has looked at yet? Tell us, it might become our next study.
Get in touch
Talk to us about our research
Questions about a publication, an idea for a study or an invitation to speak: our research team is happy to hear from you.