WALES COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION
WCVA is the national membership organisation for voluntary organisations in Wales. WCVA promotes volunteering, good governance, sustainability and engagement by providing information, training, advice and support to charities, voluntary and community groups & social enterprises. WCVA manages several grant & loan schemes.
Latest income
£36.6m
Latest spending
£34.6m
Registered
1963
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity generated a net income of £1.99 million for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in total unrestricted reserves of £13.0 million. Per the trustees' report, the organisation maintains a prudent financial strategy with significant designated reserves to ensure long-term stability and sustainability. The auditor confirmed that the financial statements give a true and fair view and that there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
Highest-paid employee band: £100,001 - £110,000 — below the median for charities its size (£130k)
“£100,000 – £109,999 1”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: level that ensures WCVA’s core activity could continue should a major funder reduce or remove its funding and that a proportion of reserves be maintained in a readily realisable form (held: £13.0m)
“The trustees have set a policy which requires that reserves be maintained at a level that ensures WCVA’s core activity could continue should a major funder reduce or remove its funding and that a proportion of reserves be maintained in a readily realisable form.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Grants awarded to bodies where Trustees have direct control or significant influence.
“Grants and Procurement Contracts awarded to bodies where Trustees either have direct control or significant influence have been disclosed within note 8.” — page 169
“Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations Edward Watts 899,760”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations received £899,760; Edward Watts is a trustee.
“Grants and Procurement Contracts awarded to bodies where Trustees either have direct control or significant influence have been disclosed within note 8.” — page 169
“Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations Edward Watts 899,760”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Children in Wales received £88,023; Menai Owen-Jones is a trustee.
“Grants and Procurement Contracts awarded to bodies where Trustees either have direct control or significant influence have been disclosed within note 8.” — page 169
“Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations Edward Watts 899,760”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Organisations received £258,678; Callum Jones is a trustee.
“Grants and Procurement Contracts awarded to bodies where Trustees either have direct control or significant influence have been disclosed within note 8.” — page 169
“Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations Edward Watts 899,760”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: All Wales Forum received £3,934; Kate Young is a trustee.
“Grants and Procurement Contracts awarded to bodies where Trustees either have direct control or significant influence have been disclosed within note 8.” — page 169
“Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations Edward Watts 899,760”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales Ltd
“Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales Ltd Trading”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
In the news
- DBS and Wales Council for Voluntary Action deliver joint roadshows
- Wales Council for Voluntary Action chief executive retires after 25 years
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Total income
£36.6m
Total spending
£34.6m
Cost of raising funds
£671k
Reserves (reported)
£13.0m
Employees
79
Trustees
- Dr Neil Rhys Woodingchair
- Callum Edward Pople Jones
- Christopher Peter Lines
- Colin James Arnold
- Edward Watts MBE DL
- Ellis Mark Richard Peares
- Gareth Clubb
- Jainaba Conteh
- Judith Alexandra Stone
- Kate Eleanor Young
- Lowri Catrin Jones
- Menai Peris Owen-Jones
- Rhian Helen Elizabeth Davies
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £36.6m | £34.6m |
| 31/03/2024 | £33.2m | £29.3m |
| 31/03/2023 | £35.0m | £33.2m |
| 31/03/2022 | £39.0m | £35.5m |
| 31/03/2021 | £51.0m | £49.7m |
Common questions
Is WALES COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity generated a net income of £1.99 million for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in total unrestricted reserves of £13.0 million. Per the trustees' report, the organisation maintains a prudent financial strategy with significant designated reserves to ensure long-term stability and sustainability. The auditor confirmed that the financial statements give a true and fair view and that there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Bevan Buckland LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of WALES COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £100,001 - £110,000 band.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| A B Charitable Trust | 17/07/2026 | £25k | A grant to WCVA - Human Rights Consortium Cymru |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 26/06/2023 | £58k | Energy Efficiency Fund |
| UK government | 01/04/2022 | £502k | WALES COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 13/12/2018 | £250k | "Catalyst Cymru: Building heritage capacity" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 29/03/2018 | £10k | "Enhanced Heritage of Wales Research Project" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 24/11/2017 | £10k | "Heritage of Wales Research Project" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 21/05/2013 | £632k | "Giving the past a future – sustainable heritage in Wales" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 02/12/2011 | £941k | Wales Volunteering |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 25/05/2011 | £248k | Explore- The Third Sector Internship Programme |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 28/04/2011 | £799k | People and Places Applicant Support - Contract 2440 |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 19/11/2010 | £728k | Sustainable Funding Cymru - 'Accelerating Change' |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 18/07/2006 | £646k | Sustainability |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 04/07/2005 | £457 | "A Project To Commemorate The Events Leading To The End Of Ww2 With The Recording Of Peoples Memories And Experiences Of The War Throughout A" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 01/07/2005 | £8k | Gathering people's wartime memories |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE LONDON MARATHON CHARITABLE TRUST LIMITED | 1 | £172k |
| MAUDSLEY CHARITY | 1 | £44k |
| THE WESTMINSTER FOUNDATION | 1 | £20k |
| THE CHESTER BLUECOAT CHARITY | 1 | £10k |
| GREATER LONDON VOLUNTEERING | 1 | £5k |
| WOLVERHAMPTON LGBT+ | 1 | £3k |
Charities like this
- COUNCIL FOR WALES OF VOLUNTARY YOUTH SERVICES CYNGOR CYMREIG Y GWASANAETHAU IEUENCTID GWIRFODDOL
- Cheshire West Voluntary Action
- CYMDEITHAS GWASANAETHAU GWIRFODDOL SIR GAR / CARMARTHENSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTARY SERVICES
- WARWICKSHIRE COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY ACTION
- CROYDON VOLUNTARY ACTION
- POWYS ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS CYMDEITHAS MUDIADAU GWIRFODDOL POWYS
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WALES COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION | £36.6m | £100,001 - £110,000 | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| COUNCIL FOR WALES OF VOLUNTARY YOUTH SERVICES CYNGOR CYMREIG Y GWASANAETHAU IEUENCTID GWIRFODDOL | £457k | Under £60,000 | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Cheshire West Voluntary Action | £1.1m | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| CYMDEITHAS GWASANAETHAU GWIRFODDOL SIR GAR / CARMARTHENSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTARY SERVICES | £752k | — | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| WARWICKSHIRE COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY ACTION | £2.0m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CROYDON VOLUNTARY ACTION | £1.6m | — | — | within | — | no doubt |