Should Charities have a ‘Shopping List’ of needs?
By LORRAINE BRIFFITT, Client Services Director
Social value is a non-negotiable part of public sector procurement - typically accounting for at least 10% of the scoring in most public contracts. For businesses, demonstrating meaningful social value can be the difference between winning and losing a bid. Whilst many companies want to support charities, they often don’t know what kind of volunteering or support will genuinely help.
Businesses frequently guess what charities need from volunteers, resulting in well-intentioned but sometimes unhelpful offers. For example, companies might offer team volunteering days when what you really need is specialist skills (like trustees), ongoing mentoring, or help with digital transformation.
So what’s the solution?
Lorraine Briffitt, our Client Services Director, shares her thoughts and experience of small charities to make suggestions of what can help.
“After two decades of working in and with nonprofits, I’ve got a few bees in my bonnet around how businesses can genuinely support small charities. Alongside my role at Samtaler, I lead a regional network – Connect Reading; a small charity connecting sectors through campaigns, events and support services. We have over 70 charities who often share their frustrations about the support businesses offer.
We find that SMEs usually hit the mark in being more responsive to the actual needs of smaller charities. Why is that? Firstly, they usually listen. Second, they can implement the requested support in a more agile way than larger businesses.
But that doesn’t have to mean that corporate help isn’t gold dust for small charities – when it works. Most of it’s to do with the power balance. Many charities feel they can't say no to a big business, in case they accidentally burn the bridge to a future donation. If businesses can create safer spaces, building relationships so charities can speak up (much like the model that Connect Reading creates, brokering these kinds of more equitable relationships) then the next step can happen.
It’s then possible to ask charities to be more specific about what they need. If they safe enough to be bold, then they’ll give the detail. Then it's a win – for businesses of any size, and - most importantly - for the charities themselves.”
This is where your ‘volunteer shopping list’ comes in:
List the volunteer roles and skills your charity needs most: for example, digital skills, legal advice, marketing support, or regular community engagement, not just general volunteering hours.
Keep this list live and updated: so when a business or group offers volunteer time, you can respond quickly and specifically.
Don’t be shy: Tell businesses and partners exactly what kind of volunteer support would create real value for your organisation and your beneficiaries.
By being clear and proactive, your charity can attract the right kind of volunteer support, deliver greater impact, and help businesses meet their social value commitments in a way that truly matters to your community.
For more on why social value matters and how charities can take the lead, check out our director Sarah Stone’s article in Charity Today:
👉 What is social value and why is it so important for charities?
Need help measuring your charity’s social value?
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