About us

NICVA, the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, is a membership and representative umbrella body for the entire voluntary and community sector of Northern Ireland. Its membership reflects the make up of the sector in terms of both thematic (issue based) and geographical representation. NICVA offers a range of services including advice (governance and charity advice, HR), fundraising, research, policy and lobbying, training and consultancy.

NICVA is governed by its Executive Committee, which is directly elected by member organisations at the Annual General Meeting. Membership of the Executive Committee is broadly representative of different interests within the sector as a whole. The Executive Committee is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of NICVA, developing the vision, mission and values and the organisation’s strategic objectives in accordance with the Articles of Association and other legal and regulatory guidelines.

The Chief Executive assists the Executive Committee in providing strategic leadership to the formulation and achievement of these and to ensure that services provided meet the needs and aspirations of NICVA members and other stakeholders. NICVA employs on average 40 members of staff to deliver services to its membership and other organisations within the voluntary and community sector across Northern Ireland.

It has over 1,000 members from the voluntary and community sector and organisations who have an interest in the sector and who subscribe to NICVA services

History of NICVA

NICVA began its life in 1938 as the Northern Ireland Council for Social Services (NICSS) in response to high levels of unemployment in Northern Ireland.

It championed a programme of social action through welfare clubs, youth hostel tours, YMCA summer camps and a Committee for Women.

In 1949 NICSS opened Pine Lodge, a home for the elderly on the Belmont Road, Belfast. This marked the Council's growing responsibility as an 'umbrella' organisation for projects which tackled social deprivation in the community.

Over the last 64 years NICSS has become increasingly well known. Its name changed to the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) in 1986 in recognition of the expansion of the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.

Today NICVA represents the interests of its members and over 5,000 voluntary and community groups.

We are linked to sister organisations in England, Scotland and Wales.

NICVA is a Charity registered with Inland Revenue No XN 47024 and a company limited by guarantee (No. 1792).

Find out more..

Browse the item menu on the left to find out more about our values, our staff, our history and browse the main links at the top of the page to find out more about what we do for our members, or how to become one.