Small Charity Leaders Club
"This is like an MBA!"
It’s easy to feel like you’re on your own when you’re running a small charity. Navigating the ins and outs of managing everything can be challenging, overwhelming, and, well, lonely.
Feeling seen? You’re in the right place. I've designed this 6 month online course to support you through every step - the highs and the lows. The live workshops, group problem-solving sessions and bank of resources are here to guide you when you need it most.
And there’s more! You’ll be welcomed into a community of like-minded folk, where judgement is left at the door - and support is available in abundance.
Cohort 2 is now closed. Cohort 3 kicks off April 2025.
What to expect
Leading a small charity can feel like a juggling act. An endless one - with countless tasks and responsibilities vying for your attention. All while feeling as though everything is on your shoulders.
This 6-month online course covers the essential building blocks that all small charities need, to be effective and highly impactful. Plus, you’ll be doing it alongside a supportive community of other small charity legends - all on the same journey as you!
"I didn't know how much I needed this. As a small charity director it can feel awfully lonely when you feel as if its just on you to handle everything, you end up filling so many gaps and dealing with a different set of challenges on the daily that you often feel as if you can't come up for air. This course help to not only demystify a lot of the stereotypes of what a leader should be but include so much valuable advice about how to thrive in the role rather than surviving it." Lisa Atkinson, CEO, Wave Forward , 2023 cohort.
"I'd been running my charity for almost 15 years and felt quite confident in some of the module topics, but I still learnt so much from Vic, the guest speakers and the other leaders on the cohort - there was something new to me in every module and the peer support and problem-solving of live problems was so valuable" - Small Charity Leader, 2023 cohort
By joining the club, you’ll have access to...
You'll finish the course with...
The complete toolbox!
-
Strong foundations: from strategy to fundraising, you’ll be well equipped to confidently lead your small charity to do amazing things in the world.
-
Confidence: this course will support you to feel in control (and enjoy your work!)
-
Connections: say “bye” to loneliness, and “hello” to friendly faces - your peers, who’ll happily support you at each stage of your journey.
The monthly run-down
What do charity leaders have to say?
"Being in the first cohort of Vic's Small Charity Leaders Club has been absolutely brilliant. If you are thinking about which course or resource to consider, do this one.
I have met amazing peers, been given brilliant shared resources, and had training on every aspect of charity CEO roles (of which we all know there are many hats!), been really challenged about how we do things, but most importantly, we have all been supported, inspired, listened to, no longer isolated.
Vic also teamed up with other awesome people from a variety of brilliant orgs across our sector for a really interesting mix that covered such a range of skills and experience." - Melissa Santiago-val, Founder - Sew Positive
Oh and here's something cool, Lloyds Bank Foundation have commissioned a custom version of this course for their Grant Officers, so they can really 'get' what it takes to run an effective smaller charity.
Pricing
The course price is £750 for the full 6 months. I don't currently charge VAT.
P.S. I've done the maths, and if these topics were delivered as 1:2:1 consultancy, this would cost £2,500 minimum. By working on an economy of scale, I can make this as affordable as possbile for smaller organisations.
P.P.S. Instalments are available. I get that budgets are tight and cashflow is crucial. Just let me know if you would like to pay in instalments.
Month 1: Getting your house in order
After the introductions (and non-cringy icebreakers), we’ll focus on:
-
Assembling your team
-
Getting others involved (trustees, directors, committees, volunteers, staff, freelancers.)
-
Good governance foundations
-
Systems to make your life easier.
Month 2: Getting your strategy right
We’ll dive into the key elements of developing an effective strategy. Including:
-
Finding your North Star
-
The importance of needs assessments
-
Co-design and participatory strategic planning
-
Theory of Change
.
Month 3: Designing and monitoring your programmes
(Halfway, already?) Month 3 will focus on:
-
Programme design, and identifying the key elements of a successful programme
-
Logical frameworks (ensuring your programmes are structured effectively)
-
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning
Month 4: Budgeting to support fundraising
In Month 4, we’ll hone in on one of the most important aspects of running a small charity: budgeting for fundraising. You’ll learn all about:
-
Full cost recovery (making sure your budget covers all of your costs)
-
Stretch budgets, and ways to be innovative in your fundraising strategies
-
Financial monitoring and reporting - providing you with the tools to keep track of your finances and make informed decisions for the future.
Month 5: Fundraising, marketing, branding and communications
Month 5 is all about the bread and butter of any successful charity. We’ll dive into:
-
Fundraising strategies - my top tips on how to raise funds
-
Storytelling and communications, so that you can spread the word and engage your audience.
Month 6: Ongoing organisational development, resilience and wellbeing
(Time flies when you’re having fun!) By now, you’ve gained a wealth of practical knowledge. But we all know it doesn’t end there. Our final month will equip you with the confidence to:
-
Manage multiple responsibilities
-
Find balance at work
Plus
-
Wellbeing tips and techniques
-
Resources for further support.
Sounds like a lot, right? Well, that’s because it is.
The goal is to give you the strong foundations you need to excel as a small charity leader and create real social change. As we progress through these 6 months, you’ll be able to implement what you’ve learned straight away - drawing on new knowledge, resources and techniques to grow your organisation.
Ready to join the Club? Add your name to the 2025 waitlist now.
Got questions? We've got answers...
What do your peers say?
"I wholeheartedly recommend this training to leaders at all levels. It is a worthwhile investment of your time and resources. Thank me later." Marlene Kawira, Afrikala Arts
"This programme was utterly invaluable." Beth House, Let's Talk Loss
"I feel much more confident in our charity now and am really motivated to put it into practice." Kat Jennings, Talking Taboos
"Vic knows the world of small charities so well, has brought in excellent speakers, and creates a really comfy space to learn and share. Highly recommended!" Anna Ambrose, Workwhile
"Thank you so much. This programme has helped me through a really challenging period of leadership and a testing time sector wide. I hope to access more of your courses in future!" 2023 member
-
Who can sign up to this course?Small Charity Leaders Club is great for anyone that wears all the hats at their small organisation. You might be a founder, a trustee, a manager, or a CEO. Basically, it’s designed for anyone who has the weight of the world on their shoulders - and wants to learn the skills to help their organisation thrive. It's open to any social good structure whether you're an unregistered group, a registered charity, CIC, social enterprise or individual.
-
When does it happen?The course runs once a year from April to October with a break in August. Cohort 2 is currently running. Cohort 3 will kick off April 2025.
-
Where does it happen?Online (but we will try to get together in person for a friendly cuppa, if people want to and locations allow).
-
Why is it a group course?Because I believe in the power of community! By taking this journey with a group of like-minded peers, you’ll access peer support. Plus, this means I can make the course more affordable (and accessible) to a wider range of organisations.
-
How do I secure my place?The 2024 cohort is now closed for sign ups. To add your name to the 2025 waitlist, just pop some details here.
