Idox GrantFinder Insights Reveal Top Challenges and Opportunities Facing the UK VCSE Sector

Idox has released its latest UK VCSE Insights Paper, drawing on findings from the 2025 GrantFinder Pulse Survey to highlight the current pressures, priorities, and opportunities shaping the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) landscape.

Based on responses from GrantFinder users across the UK, the report provides an up-to-date view of the sector’s funding needs and operational realities at a time of economic uncertainty and rising demand for services. 

Key Findings from the 2025 VCSE Insights Paper: 

• High Impact: 82% of respondents report strong outcomes from their funded projects, making high-impact programme delivery their top success indicator. 
• Widening Skills Gap: Respondents identified growing needs in grant writing, fundraising strategy, impact reporting, and skills relating to AI and digital tools. 
• Collaboration is Critical: 97% see knowledge-sharing and partnerships as essential to achieving positive outcomes. 
• Funding Pressures Remain: 74% say grant funding is mission-critical as rising operational costs and income instability continue to place organisations under strain. 
• Volunteering Trends: 57% rely heavily on volunteers, with many focusing on engaging younger generations to build sustainability for the future. 

Supporting the Sector Through Better Access to Funding 

Since 1985, Idox’s GrantFinder platform has supported thousands of UK organisations – from smaller organisations to national charities – to discover, secure and manage funding for vital services. 

Today, GrantFinder gives users access to more than 8,500 continuously updated UK and EU funding opportunities, supported by Idox’s in-house specialist content team. 

GrantFinder’s latest innovation, Policy Match, enables organisations to align funding searches with local and national policy priorities, helping them target the most relevant opportunities and strengthen their chances of success. 

Zoe Wood, Head of Commercial Community Division at Idox, said: 
“VCSE organisations continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and creativity in the face of rising financial pressures and increasing community need. Our Insights Paper shows just how essential grant funding remains – and how important it is for organisations to have the right tools, knowledge and partnerships to succeed. 

“At Idox, we’re committed to supporting this sector’s vital work. GrantFinder exists to give organisations clarity, confidence and actionable intelligence so they can focus on delivering the greatest possible impact in their communities.” 

VCSE leaders, fundraisers and community organisations can download the full 2025-26 VCSE Insights Paper and explore how GrantFinder can help them secure sustainable funding, build capacity, and thrive in a challenging landscape.