Glossary

accountable
Being responsible for, and able to explain and justify, actions taken.
almshouses
Homes financed by charities or philanthropists for people on low incomes. They were often financed by, and located next to, churches.
asset base
All the property belonging to a voluntary organisation. This includes investments, cash, land, buildings and vehicles, but it also covers the charity’s staff, volunteers, goodwill and reputation.
beneficiaries
Refers to service users, participants and so on, i.e. the people whom a voluntary organisation aims to benefit. The term incorporates a wider view however: if an organisation provides activities for children with disabilities, are the beneficiaries the parents or guardians of the children? Or the children themselves?
Big Society
An ideology based on empowering local people and communities to make change and decisions about services. It was a central theme of the Conservative party general election campaign in 2010.
community group
A social group whose members reside in a specific area and who come together to pursue a common interest.
contract
A written agreement enforceable by law. In the context of the voluntary sector, it usually relates to a specification for service delivery between a voluntary organisations and local or central government.
customer
The individual or organisation buying goods or services directly, without a contracting process.
donor
A person who donates something, especially money, to a voluntary organisation.
empowerment
Giving power or authority to others but also encouraging them to take power and equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to do so.
governance
In terms of voluntary organisations it refers to all aspects of controlling, managing and leading organisations. It can also be applied at the national level and includes government and other authorities that run the country.
grant
A type of subsidy (money) given to a voluntary organisation by funders such as government, other voluntary organisations or private-sector organisations.
housing association
A non-profit organisation that rents houses and flats to people on low incomes or with particular needs.
legislation
A law or set of laws made by a government.
norm
Something that is usual, typical, standard or expected. Often used in describing society and expected behaviour or unwritten rules about behaviour.
philanthropist
Person engaged in philanthropy, which literally means ‘love of humanity’. It usually refers to people giving large sums of money to improve others’ welfare and wellbeing.
social capital
The trust, connections, bonds or ties between people in a place as well as the networks or organisations that bring people together. Where social capital is deemed to be low, people are perceived to be alienated and levels of prosperity and economic growth also low. Voluntary organisations often aim to improve social capital in areas.
socially focused businesses
A business that is created and designed to address a social problem. Most often, profits are reinvested in the business itself with the aim of increasing social impact.
social enterprises
Independent business that trades to deliver a social or environmental mission. Social enterprises aim to make a profit just like any other business. However, all profits or surpluses are reinvested back into their social or environmental purpose.
special-interest group
A community within a larger organisation with a shared interest in advancing a specific area of knowledge or learning.
steering group
A committee that oversees an organisation or project, provides advice where needed and ensures protocol is followed.
sub-committee
A committee composed of some members of a larger committee, board, or other body and reporting to it.
trustees
People who give their time for free to lead or steer voluntary organisations. Trustees set the direction for the organisation and are legally and financially responsible for it. Sometimes trustees are given other titles, such as governors, councillors, management committee members or directors.
welfare state
The UK is considered to have a welfare state, by which government takes responsibility for health and social care for all its citizens. It was originally perceived as a system whereby services would be provided free and paid for by National Insurance: the concept of free services has been eroded over the decades since it was first conceived in the Beveridge Report of 1942.