2026 Bailiwick Charity Sector Survey
Sector Impact Findings
The Association of Guernsey Charities is delighted to present the findings of its Bailiwick Charity Sector Survey. A sincere thank you to every organisation that took the time to respond. Your contribution, regardless of your size or cause, is what makes this evidence meaningful.
This survey was commissioned to build a clearer, more detailed picture of Guernsey’s charitable sector: the scale of its voluntary workforce, the reach of its impact, and the financial health of its organisations. Understanding these things matters. The stronger our evidence base, the better placed AGC is to serve its membership, advocate effectively with funders, and engage policymakers with confidence.
The survey runs every two years, which means we are now beginning to do something particularly valuable. As the data builds across future editions, we will be able to identify emerging trends, spotlight gaps, and tell an increasingly compelling story about the sector’s contribution to Bailiwick life.
We hope you find these results useful, and we look forward to continuing this work together.
Key Insights
Board recruitment is challenging
The sector is resilient to demand increases
Organisations want to build strategic partnerships with businesses
The results are clear: the third sector reaches every one of us
If you had to tell one short story from 2025 that captures the organisation’s impact, what would it be?
We ran special assemblies for over 4,000 school children, and met 100;s of people at the North and West shows all of them went away with a better appreciation of nature
All our funds go to a Southampton University research facility specialising in cancer research. Every pound raised takes us one step nearer to finding new treatments or cures to the benefit of all cancer patients. Together we will beat cancer.
Being awarded the King's Award for Voluntary Service is a huge honour for our organisation. A new volunteer who came to GCV through Bailiwick Social Prescribing recently summed up their first year saying that they always enjoyed the work parties with friendly people and went home after each work party feeling really satisfied that they had made a difference.
During 2025, approximately how many people directly benefited from the organisation's service or activities?
Approximately how many people benefited indirectly from the organisation's services or activities in 2025?
Participant Demographics
Number of Respondent Organisations
106
Is the organisation registered with the Guernsey Registry
101
Is the organisation a member of the Association of Guernsey Charities
92
This represents nearly 30% of AGC membership
What primary sector does the organisation fall under?
| Sector | Respondents |
|---|---|
| Children, Young People and Families | 21 |
| Sports | 19 |
| Health | 18 |
| Community Services | 16 |
| Disability | 13 |
| Elderly | 12 |
| Environment & Heritage | 11 |
| Fundraising, Funding | 11 |
| Arts & Culture | 9 |
| Mental Health | 9 |
| Other | 7 |
| Faith | 5 |
| International Development | 4 |
| Animal Welfare | 3 |
The community gives it’s time generously
What are the combined volunteering hours per month?
20,650
This is equivalent to 148 FTEs (at 140 hrs a month). At minimum wage of £12.60 an hour this is equivalent to over £3million of volunteer time.
In 2025, how many active volunteers, including committee members / board directors, did the organisation have overall?
4,230
7 organisations reports 100 or more volunteers including Girl Guiding, Scouts, GSPCA, and Guernsey Swimming Cub
If you had to tell one short story from 2025 that captures the organisation’s impact, what would it be?
GBS were my knight in shining armour, I am coming out of my black hole and beginning to live gain
A pet who was seriously injured was cared for by our in house staff and then transferred to a referral centre on Guernsey with a volunteer, before returning to their owner. This pet brings joy and happiness to their owner and encourages an active lifestyle and good mental health practices as well as companionship
We directly helped 13/14 school students in Vietnam to attend school and therefore also helped villagers in the local area
Saffery Rotary Walk - over 1000 walkers, raising over £100000, donating to over 18 local charities. Internationally support for End Polio and 16 Shelterbox packs ready for disasters
Recruiting volunteers is manageable - boards are harder
During 2025, how would you describe the organisation's experience in recruiting and retaining volunteers (excluding board directors / committee members)?
75% of applicable organisations report netural to very good volunteer recruitment
In 2025, how challenging has it been for the orgnaisation to recruit or retain suitable board directors / committee members? (including chair / secretary / treasurer / roles with specific skills)
64% of applicable organisations find board recruitment at least somewhat challenging
During 2025, did the organisation have any vacancies on the board / committee?
Nearly 50% of organisations with vacancies have unfilled positions after 6 months
If you had to tell one short story from 2025 that captures the organisation’s impact, what would it be?
A child having a bed and mattress to sleep on. A safe clean space.
Providing a meeting place for social enjoyment at one of our centres or all 4 if the individual wished.
Working closely with healthcare professionals to ensure clients were able to move into care home accommodation and keep their dogs with them for emotional support and identifying client healthcare needs whilst undertaking veterinary nurse empowered home visits for their sick pets.
Half of organisations were hindered at least a little by capacity constraints in 2025
In 2025, to what extent have capacity constraints (skills, volunteers, staff, resources) impacted on activities / service delivery?
50%
Half of organisations were hindered at least a little by capacity constraints in 2025.
In 2025, how has demand or need for the organisation's work changed?
The charitable sector reaches every one of us
What do you see as the top challenges facing the organisation?
If you had to tell one short story from 2025 that captures the organisation’s impact, what would it be?
One of our 212,000 orphans is in his final year of training in a 3 year course as an Ophthalmologist - he would not have even had secondary education without the support of Tumaini.
Its overwhelming when people we have helped over a difficult patch by providing meals and food to take away, come back and thank us for our support; and some of the people will give us donations. We feel gratified that we were some how involved in their life turnaround.
Life skills and experiences are at the heart of Girlguiding and 33 Rainbows and Brownies achA2:A50ieved their Gold Award as a result of taking a full part in the Girlguiding programme. Local camps were attended with a camp sleepover at Government House. 2 girls went Interrailing through Europe, 2 attending an Essex International Jamboree, 15 girls and 3 leaders attended Kernow Jamboree.
The sector is remarkably resilient
In 2025, which of the following best describes how the organisation responded to pressures?
The sector is remarkably resilient
What do you anticipate the organisation’s operating capacity to be in 12 months?
Nearly 90% of organisations expect to continue at the same level or expand in the next 12 months
33
Expanding activities
57
Similar levels of activities
4
Minor scaling back of activities
2
Significant scaling back of activities
9
Change the way we operate (collaborations, significant changes to activities)
1
Ceasing to exist*
Funding is steady
Total amount of funds raised in 2025
£26.8 million
£4 million of this is from 5 fundraising organisations
Please estimate the percentage of fund-raised money per funding stream in 2025?
63%
63% of organisations have 3 or more funding streams
How did your organisation's total funds raised in 2025 compare to your target?
75% of applicable organisations met or exceeded fundraising targets
45
Met target
24
Shortfall
23
Not applicable / no fundraising target
14
Increase above target
If you had to tell one short story from 2025 that captures the organisation’s impact, what would it be?
My counsellor made me feel safe and able to talk openly which I hadn’t been able to do for a long time. She validated my feelings and gave me the opportunity to explore the issues I was facing without judgement.
Random Acts of Kindness and Town Trick or Treat touched the lives of over 3,000 people. On top of this we provided donations to other charities. Whilst we have no specific focus our ability to provide benefit to wide range of deserving causes appeals to many.
As mum has dementia she would not be able to cook complete meals. MOW is a life saver ... and enables her to stay in her home.
A member started to interact more with the other members and volunteers after being quite reserved when they joined
Charities are looking for strategic partnerships from businesses
What types of support has the organisation received from business in 2025? What types of support from business sector would be most valuable to the organisation?
Strategic partnerships are wanted by 26% of organisations but only 7% received them in 2025
If you had to tell one short story from 2025 that captures the organisation’s impact, what would it be?
4 Crew into paid and sustained work in the last 18 months, 50 Crew being trained and 8 on work experience or kickstart programmes
We run cookery lessons with St Martin's Primary School and the youth club during the summer holidays, we have a number of young people learning life long skills alongside our youth workers and presenting these dishes to their families at home.
Appreciation expressed by oldest members of the community when our music contributed to the 80th anniversary celebration of the Homecoming in Alderney. Many were visibly moved. Such occasions span the generations and occasionally youngsters present, for instance, are led to ask about learning an instrument they've seen and heard being played.
Providing children with additional needs a safe space to learn and socialise