The latest update of the State of the Third Sector in Leeds, drawing on new 2024 data to provide the most up-to-date picture of the size, reach and contribution of VCSE organisations across the city. This work 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 year’s refresh builds on the reports first published in 2020 and 2023. It brings together the newest data available to show how the sector has changed in recent years, the pressures many organisations are experiencing, and the vital role the Third Sector continues to play in Leeds’ communities.
The findings show a large and diverse sector made up of an estimated 3,375 organisations, including registered charities, CICs, mutuals and unregistered groups receiving grants. More than 90% contribute to the social determinants of health, with 1,870 working specifically in health and care. The update also reflects how the workforce is shifting, with around 31,500 volunteers, 8,095 trustees and 6,465 paid employees supporting the sector’s activity.
While total income across registered charities has increased slightly since 2022, it remains below 2020 levels and continues to lag behind inflation. This means many organisations are balancing rising demand with limited resources, a theme echoed across the findings.
A key improvement in this year’s update is the inclusion of more detail on CICs, non-constituted groups and broader financial resilience. These additions strengthen our understanding of the full landscape of the Leeds Third Sector and the challenges it faces.
Alongside the written summary, the update includes a detailed slide deck and a set of infographics that illustrate the data visually from the breakdown of areas of work, to changes in income, to the composition of the workforce and volunteering. These resources offer an accessible way to explore the findings and understand the sector’s position at a glance.
You can view the full set of resources here:
Access the full slide deck directly here.
The updated data reminds us how essential the Third Sector is to Leeds and how much pressure many organisations are under. It also provides a clearer foundation for conversations about funding, collaboration and the support needed to help the sector remain strong and sustainable.
