Research
Our aim is to develop knowledge about the voluntary and community sector for the benefit of researchers, policy makers and organisations interested in the sector through a range of research projects.
We provide basic research training developed to meet the needs of individuals within the sector on how to conduct reliable research.
Research Themes
The work of the research team can be broken down into four main themes; resources, people, performance and influence.
Our Primary Research
State of the Sector (SOS)
State of the Sector is the definitive resource on the size, scope and finances of the Northern Ireland Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector. Explore State of the Sector now
Viewfinder
Viewfinder is a snapshot survey of the sector so we can get an overview of what it thinks about certain issues and the problems it is facing. We send the survey out to all of our members every few months.
Salary Survey
This study looks at changing salary and employment benefit trends in the voluntary and community sector. We develop and circulate the questionnaire, analyse the results and write the final report.
Charitable Giving Survey
The Charitable Giving Survey researches how much money people in Northern Ireland donate. It looks at what charities individuals donate to, how they donated and why.
Consultancy
We welcome external research contracts. Our clients to date have included Supporting People (NIHE), Northern Ireland Audit Office, Department for Regional Development, Copius Consulting , CIVICUS, The Wheel, SEUPB, Voluntary and Community Unit at DSD, and the Volunteer Development Agency now known as Volunteer Now.
Research on the Road
This is a series of training aimed at groups outside of Belfast to help them design their own research projects. The session offers advice and expertise on how to conduct reliable research. It provides a ‘rough guide’ to research methods and highlights the importance of research reports and other methods of dissemination. These events are specifically tailored for the voluntary and community sector.
Research and Reports
This report estimates the costs that would be incurred if the Supporting People programme were to cease.
This report estimates the economic implications of providing universal childcare in Northern Ireland using cost-benefit analysis.
NICVA’s latest research into charitable giving in Northern Ireland examines change in the percentage of individuals that donate, donation by age, the causes donated to, fundraising techniques, methods of donation and legacy giving.
This viewfinder survey focuses on prompt payment for grant claims, charity registration, open data and the role of media in influencing public opinion
NICVA’S Salary Survey 2012 is the fourth such study carried out in Northern Ireland. The research focuses on the issues of recruitment, retention, training and pensions as well as salaries and benefits.
NICVA’s latest research into charitable giving in Northern Ireland examines who donates to charity, how much they donate and where they donate from.
State of the Sector VI provides a comprehensive picture of the scale and scope of the economic activities of the Northern Ireland voluntary and community sector.
NICVA’S Salary Survey 2010 is the third such study carried out in Northern Ireland. It focuses on the workforce composition of the voluntary and community sector and considers the issues of recruitment and retention as well as salaries and benefits.
NICVA’s latest research into charitable giving in Northern Ireland suggests that the number of individuals giving to charity, and the amounts donors are giving, have remained steady despite the recession.
This research examines the impact of public service delivery in Northern Ireland and involved analysing the impact of contracted public services and developing a detailed assessment of the economic scale of public service delivery.
State of the Sector V assesses how the voluntary and community sector is funded, how many people it employs and how many volunteers are involved with organisations.
This research into charitable giving in Northern Ireland reveals a changing picture and poses a number of challenges for fundraisers at a time when prevailing economic conditions are worsening.
This report is the second study of its kind completed by NICVA in the past five years. It looks at workforce composition with regard to age, sex, contracts, job titles and remuneration levels.
This research provides a detailed insight into the profile of donors and giving patterns in Northern Ireland.
Updates
Census 2011
It’s been a very exciting day in NICVA's policy and research team following the release of the 2011 Census data.
Viewfinder 13: voluntary and community sector fighting hard to provide services despite financial crisis
In the final Viewfinder survey of 2012 the uneven impact of the current financial situation in the voluntary and community sector over the last year continued to be apparent.Top Ten Findings State of the Sector 6
State of the Sector VI provides high level statistics on the various types of resources available to the sector and the relationship between voluntary and community organisations, government, funders and the general public.
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The support received from NICVA has been excellent. The professionalism is greatly appreciated and the efficient delivery has been extremely valuable to Rural Support given the limited resources that we are currently operating under.
