Income at the local infrastructure body Navca increased by almost 12 per cent as it distributed funding to support member charities through the cost-of-living crisis and the war in Ukraine.
The charity’s annual accounts, for the year to the end of March, show its total income rose from just under £1.4m in 2021/22 to slightly more than £1.5m last year.
This included £680,000 from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to help member charities and local organisations meet additional costs and build capacity because of the cost-of-living crisis.
It also included £400,000 provided by the British Red Cross to support Navca member charities with projects and activity strengthening local community support for people arriving in England because of the war in Ukraine.
Navca, whose members include local infrastructure organisations such as councils for voluntary service and volunteer centres in England, posted an overall surplus of £36,000 over the course of the year.
The charity said that “due to the economic situation” the value of its investments fell by almost £20,000 over the course of the year to slightly more than £245,000.
“We anticipate this will return to previous levels in due course,” the accounts say.
Wage costs increased by about £2,000 to £384,247 in 2022/23 as the average number of employees remained at 10.
Income from membership fees rose by £7,000 to almost £55,000, despite the number of Navca members falling by five to 182.
Judy Robinson, outgoing chair of Navca, says in her foreword to the accounts: “I leave Navca not without challenges to come, but in good heart and good shape.”