Governance
How organisations structure oversight, accountability and organisational decision-making.
BloomShield Research
Help shape what comes next.
BloomShield Grassroots VCSE Digital & Organisational Capacity Study 2026
Help us understand how charities, CICs, community organisations and other voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations are using digital systems, data and organisational capacity — and where greater support is needed.
10-minute survey · Open until 24 August 2026
Listen
Why this study matters
Grassroots and community organisations are often closest to the people and communities they serve. Their ability to deliver, demonstrate impact and grow sustainably increasingly depends on strong organisational and digital infrastructure.
BloomShield is undertaking this study to better understand the capabilities, pressures and development needs experienced across the VCSE sector.
The research will identify where organisations are doing well, where practical barriers remain, and what forms of infrastructure, capacity building, tools and support could make the greatest difference.
Understand
What we are exploring
Eight connected domains form one practical view of organisational capacity — from how decisions are made to how learning is shared.
Funding
Funding readiness, sustainability and the systems supporting income development.
Programmes
How services and activities are planned, managed and delivered.
People
Workforce, volunteers, skills and organisational capacity.
Data
How organisations collect, organise and use information.
Impact & Evaluation
How outcomes, learning and organisational impact are measured and communicated.
Digital Systems
The tools, platforms and technology supporting everyday organisational work.
Partnerships
How organisations develop and manage relationships, collaborations and networks.
Who
Who should take part?
People working in or leading charities, Community Interest Companies, voluntary organisations, community groups, faith-based organisations, social enterprises and other grassroots or community-focused organisations.
Suitable respondents are leaders, managers and staff with a reasonable understanding of how their organisation operates.
Our primary focus is Kent, Essex and London. Eligible organisations elsewhere in England are also welcome.
Participate
What participation involves
- Complete an online survey in approximately 10 minutes.
- Participation is entirely voluntary.
- Respond using your knowledge and experience of your organisation.
- Avoid providing unnecessary personally identifiable or sensitive information.
Learn → Build
From listening to action
BloomShield will analyse responses to identify common themes, strengths, capability gaps and opportunities for practical support across participating organisations. Findings will be reported at an aggregate level where appropriate.
Findings may inform:
- Future BloomShield research
- Capacity-building programmes
- Learning resources and toolkits
- Digital and organisational-support initiatives
- Partnership development
- Funding and commissioning propositions
- Future publications and sector learning
Listening to the sector.
Building from evidence.
Creating stronger futures together.
Campaign resources
Share the study
Community organisations, partners and supporters are welcome to share the official campaign artwork with eligible networks across England.
Download campaign artwork
Research governance and privacy
Participation is voluntary. BloomShield is committed to handling research information responsibly and asks participants not to submit unnecessary personal or sensitive information. For more about how BloomShield handles personal information, read our privacy notice.
BloomShield Research
Help shape what comes next.
If you work with a charity, CIC, voluntary, community or social enterprise organisation, your experience can contribute to a clearer picture of what grassroots organisations need to thrive.
Take part in the 10-minute survey
10-minute survey · Open until 24 August 2026