Welcome to 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.
Headlines
Small charities and social investment
Briefing Three: What we learned from sharing the research Our report on small charities and social investment takes a close look at the ‘social investment journey’ of 25 small charities. In our third briefing following its publication, we summarise what we learned from sharing the research and set out three areas for further action: the narrative and language around social investment; workforce development and connecting grant funding with social investment.
find out more
What does it mean to be a learning organisation?
A literature review exploring what a learning organisation actually is, how to become one and why you might want to. This was produced in the lead up to the May 2017 UK Evaluation Roundtable, a convening of funders where discussions centered on learning in responsive grant-making.
Read the literature review
Coming soon: Collaborative funding in practice
We are producing a series of in-depth case studies on collaborative funding in place, following on from the publication of our place-based funding framework last year. These explore how independent funders can work with local, regional and national public agencies in defined geographic areas, and will be published alongside a summary report.
Read the place-based funding framework
In conversation with...
Latest films
Blogs
07 August 2017
Moving into research
Katie Turner
Katie, one of our Senior Researchers, recently contributed to the Social Research Association's magazine 'Research Matters'. She wrote about her experience of moving into research and, in particular, of discovering how research can benefit those participating in it.
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02 February 2017
Learning in responsive grant making – Thinking out loud
Houda Davis
In recent months we have been looking into theory and ideas that might help us figure out just what good learning looks like.
read more
Events
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