Welcome to the Institute for Voluntary Action Research – IVAR. We are an independent charity that works closely with people and organisations striving for social change. From the very small that directly support the most vulnerable in their local communities, to those that work nationally – across the voluntary, public and funding sectors.
We use research to develop practical responses to the challenges faced and create opportunities for people to learn from our findings. This site is home to our bank of research and resources, providing insights that can help organisations adapt to change and make informed and confident decisions.
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Recently published
Start somewhere
An exploratory study into making technology imaginable
and usable for small voluntary organisations.
Findings include tips and advice from small voluntary organisations on overcoming the barriers to using technology; pointers for support organisations; and things for funders to think about.
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Duty to Care?
How to ensure grant-making helps and doesn’t hinder
We believe that foundations could be making adaptations to their grant-making practices in response to the circumstances and needs of small to medium voluntary organisations.
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Transforming Healthcare Together
Equipping health, care and VCSE leaders to build relationships that transform our healthcare system.
A new support offer, free to access and jointly funded by NHS England and The National Lottery Community Fund. Includes online resources, workshops and coaching delivered by The King’s Fund.
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Newsletter
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Principles for grant reporting
We’ve been working with funders and charities to develop a set of principles that make grant reporting a shared, more meaningful and mutually beneficial experience.
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About Building Health Partnerships
Blogs
03 September 2019
Failing Forward
David Stone | Totally Socially Project Co-ordinator
How Coast and Vale Community Action help communities turn ideas into reality - and see failure not as an end point, but as a starting point that provides crucial learning.
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27 August 2019
Sleepout or sleep in: keeping up with the new funding environment
Streetlife took part in our Duty to Care? research project. We asked them about their recent experience of working with trusts and foundations.
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Learn more about IVAR