When Baromedr Cymru last explored funding, 45% of participating organisations reported that their financial position had deteriorated and 56% had used reserves in the previous 12 months.

Those findings provided an important snapshot of the financial pressures facing voluntary organisations in Wales in 2025. Wave 5, open from 7 October to 4 November, returns to funding and finances to understand what has changed since then.

For voluntary organisations, funding is about much more than income. It affects whether organisations can plan ahead, retain staff, support volunteers, meet rising costs and continue responding to the needs of their communities. Some organisations may be experiencing greater stability; others may be finding it harder to secure funding, recover the true cost of their work or maintain adequate reserves.

WHY DOES THIS EVIDENCE MATTER?

There is growing recognition of the need for regular evidence about the financial health and sustainability of Wales’ voluntary sector.

Welsh Government has identified Baromedr Cymru as a source of ongoing evidence that can provide insight into the health and sustainability of the third sector in Wales and, over time, help understand the impact of policy decisions on the sector.

This sits alongside Welsh Government’s wider commitments to working with and supporting the voluntary sector through its Third Sector Scheme and its Code of Practice for Funding the Third Sector, which sets out principles intended to support better and more consistent funding relationships.

Regular evidence from organisations is important. It helps move conversations about funding beyond individual examples and provides a stronger picture of what is happening across different parts of the sector.

WHAT WILL WAVE 5 EXPLORE?

This wave will look at:

• organisations’ current financial position and use of reserves

• changes in income and funding sources

• experiences of applying for and securing grants and contracts

• whether funding covers the full cost of delivering services and activities

• how funding pressures are affecting organisational capacity and future plans

The survey is open to voluntary organisations of all sizes and types across Wales. The experience of a small, volunteer-led community organisation may be very different from that of a larger organisation delivering commissioned services; both are equally important to help us build an accurate understanding of the funding landscape.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE FINDINGS?

‘This isn’t research for its own sake. It’s evidence with purpose – and with you at the centre.’ - Matthew Brown, Deputy CEO of WCVA

The responses will contribute to the growing Baromedr Cymru evidence base, allowing changes in the sector to be tracked over time rather than relying on one-off snapshots.

The findings will be analysed and shared through the Baromedr Cymru dashboard, helping the voluntary sector identify emerging pressures and trends. Baromedr Cymru evidence is used by WCVA and others to help make the case to government and funders, shape support and services, track changes over time and inform influencing work on behalf of the voluntary sector. 

WHAT WILL PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS RECEIVE?

‘Instead of relying on anecdotes or gut feeling, you’ll have up-to-date, comparative data that makes sense of what’s happening for your organisation within the bigger picture of the voluntary sector in Wales.’ – Prof. Daniel King, Nottingham Trent University

There are other direct benefits for organisations taking part.

Participants will receive an Individual Insight Report, allowing them to see how their own experience compares with wider sector trends, including:

• access to the wider Baromedr Cymru findings

• evidence to support planning and strategic discussions

• useful context for funding applications and conversations with funders

For organisations that have taken part in previous waves, responding again is particularly valuable. Each wave adds another point to the picture, making it possible to see not only where the sector is now, but how it is changing.

WHO SHOULD COMPLETE THE SURVEY?

It is best completed by a senior staff member or volunteer who has a good overview of how the organisation is doing, particularly its finances and current pressures.

Take part here https://nbsntu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7QVHOkxfzmwfBAO 

Opens on 7 October   | Closes on 4 November | Takes around 15-20 minutes