ACEVO Connect will give leaders of charities with incomes under £100,000 access to peer connection, resources and leadership development
ACEVO is launching a new membership category designed to make its community, resources and development opportunities more accessible to leaders of small charities.
Launching on 28 September 2026, ACEVO Connect will be available to leaders of organisations with an annual income of less than £100,000, as well as retired CEOs and those who are between CEO roles. Membership will cost £50 a year.
Small charities make up a significant part of civil society. According to the Charity Commission, roughly 44% of UK registered charities operate on £10-100k a year.
ACEVO Connect has been developed as part of ACEVO’s ambition to support leaders across civil society, regardless of the size of the organisation they lead, and to make its network, resources and leadership development opportunities accessible to more leaders.
Natalie Westerman, head of membership and marketing at ACEVO, said:
“We know that leaders of small charities can benefit enormously from being connected to their peers and having access to practical resources, knowledge and leadership development. We also know that, for some leaders of organisations with very limited resources, the cost of membership can be a barrier.
“ACEVO Connect is about opening up more of what our community has to offer to those leaders. For £50 a year, they can connect with other leaders through our online community and member directory, access resources and take part in member events, as well as benefit from discounted leadership development opportunities. We want leaders to be able to find support and connection through ACEVO, whatever the size of the organisation they lead.”
The new membership will focus particularly on connecting leaders with their peers through ACEVO’s digital channels and giving them access to useful online resources, and discounted leadership development opportunities.
ACEVO Connect members will have access to the online ACEVO Community, where members can connect with other charity leaders and share knowledge and experience. They will also be able to use ACEVO’s online member directory, which enables leaders to find peers by region, cause area and skills.
Membership will also include access to free online resources covering areas including governance, operations, wellbeing and leadership development; attendance at member meetings, webinars and networking events; discounted member rates for workshops, programmes and ACEVO’s flagship event; and free and discounted publications and reports.
The launch follows changes to ACEVO’s wider membership fees announced earlier this year as part of its work to make membership more accessible. Fees for leaders of charities with incomes below £500,000 were reduced, and ACEVO removed its £45 joining fee across all income levels.
ACEVO’s mission is to see civil society leaders making the biggest possible impact. Through ACEVO Connect, the organisation aims to open up its network, knowledge and resources to more leaders who could benefit from connecting with their peers and accessing practical support.