The State of the Third Sector in Leeds report, also known as State of the Sector (SotS), shows the size and composition of the VCSE sector in Leeds. The data is broken down by:

  • workforce: number of employees, trustees, volunteers
  • organisations: total number, and the number contributing to health and care
  • organisation size: by income and by number of employees
  • funding streams
  • areas of work

A new report showing the State of the Third Sector in Leeds is being prepared with updated data. The available figures are always from the previous financial year based on organisational returns to the Charity Commission, alongside other sources.

State of the Third Sector in Leeds – Updated 2025 with 2024 data

The latest State of the Third Sector in Leeds update has been co-funded and co-produced by Forum Central and Voluntary Action Leeds, and prepared by Nifty Sustainability CIC in collaboration with MyCake.

This refresh builds on previous work published in 2020 and 2023, bringing together the most current 2024 data to provide an updated picture of the size, reach and make-up of Leeds’ third sector. It offers a clearer understanding of how the sector has changed in recent years, and the pressures and opportunities facing organisations across the city.

The findings show a large and diverse Third Sector, contributing across many areas of work and supporting a wide range of communities. They also highlight ongoing challenges, with increased demand, rising complexity and financial pressures affecting organisations of every size.

Between 2022 and 2024, the updated data shows:

  • An estimated 3,375 third sector organisations in Leeds, including registered charities, CICs, mutuals and unregistered groups receiving grants

  • Over 90% of organisations contributing to the social determinants of health, with 1,870 working in health and care

  • Total income for registered charities increasing slightly, but remaining below 2020 levels and not keeping pace with inflation

  • Around 31,500 volunteers, 8,095 trustees, and 6,465 paid employees, showing shifts in the workforce since previous reporting

For full detail on the data, view the infographic and the slide deck, which outline:

  • The size and composition of the sector

  • Income patterns and funding sources

  • Areas of work and beneficiary groups

  • Workforce and volunteering trends

  • Sector resilience and pressures

This year’s update also reflects improvements to the methodology, including greater detail on CICs, non-constituted groups and financial resilience, developed through close partnership working.

 

2024/25 Downloads

The second report: State of the Third Sector in Leeds – published in 2023 with 2022 data

This State of the Third Sector in Leeds report is sponsored by TSL, co-funded and co-produced by Forum Central and Voluntary Action Leeds and prepared by Nifty Sustainability CIC.

Building on previous research in 2020 this report examines underpinning data  to provide an important insight into the scope and reach of the third sector in Leeds. It demonstrates that in its diversity and range of services, the third sector continues to play a vital role in our city’s communities and ecosystem.

The report shows much to celebrate: a sizable Third Sector working across important areas of work with diverse beneficiary groups. However, it also shows a picture of a sector – which like our public and health sector partners – is under significant stress.

Between 2020 and 2022, the sector has experienced a:

  • 10% drop in the number of registered (charitable) organisations
  • 25% drop in the number of volunteers reported to the charity commission
  • 34% drop in the paid workforce

For further findings, view the infographic and read the full report, which is structured as follows:

  • Executive summary
  • Approach and methodology
  • What has changed and why it matters relating to:
    • The composition of the Sector, its overall size, the number and size of organisations, and the income it generates
    • Communities, beneficiary groups, and areas of work
    • Funding and finance
    • People working and volunteering in the Sector

Third Sector Leeds (TSL) Response

TSL has released a response which highlights key learnings and actions:  TSL Response to State of the Sector Report Update 2022/23.

2022/23 Downloads

Infographic of key findings

This is an image of the graphs found in the State of the Sector report. It contains info on. How many Third Sector organisations there are, How many of these 1,373 registered charities contribute to health and care, What is the number of organisations by size, and what is their typical income, How many people work in the Third Sector and thew changes between 2020 and 2022 data.     This image contains graphics from the State of the Sector report. It contains info on How the Third Sector is funded and resourced, What is the typical number of staff per organisation size, Key areas of work, and What is the estimated proportion of organisations in different areas of work.

The first report: State of the Third Sector in Leeds 2020

The State of the Sector Report has been produced by Nifty Sustainability CIC and Leeds Beckett as part of Harnessing the Power of Communities work, funded by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership and NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group, to make sure the third sector is a sustainable, central part of the health and care system – recognising that the person-centred approach of the third sector is key.

A study of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, and Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership areas

The findings have been carefully reviewed to identify gaps and where additional research is needed, particularly to ensure underrepresented groups and least heard voices are reflected.

2020 Downloads

State of the Sector presentation