About Vonne

VONNE is the support body for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) in the North East of England. We represent over 600 member charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, networks and social enterprises from across the region with further reach through our many networks. Why not join us and become a member?

VONNE's Vision is that charities, voluntary and community groups and social enterprises make a distinct and sustained contribution to the economic and social development of the North East of England.

VONNE's Mission

To support and promote a thriving, effective Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector, which contributes to the economic and social development of the North East of England.

VONNE's Strategic Aims 2014-2020

    To be the expert source of knowledge and intelligence on the VCSE in the North East.
    To be a source of information on issues that impact upon the VCSE in the North East
    To support the VCSE to be effective, ambitious and to be enterprising
    To raise the profile of the VCSE and to be a leading voice on behalf of the sector in the North East
    VONNE will continue to be an effective sustainable organisation



VONNE's Values

- Striving for excellence
- Transparency
- Inclusivity and fairness
- Learning and sharing


VONNE is a registered charity (registered number 1084083) and a company limited by guarantee (registered number 4061592).  VONNE is VAT registered (number 194251990).


Key facts about the third sector in the North East
Download briefing note - State of the Third Sector in the North East (PDF)

Research has shown the key contribution the third sector makes to the economic life of the North East region.

    The voluntary sector in the North East is a significant player in the region’s economy. 4,760 charities are based in the North East, 3% of all charities in the UK. In 2007/08 these charities had income of £731 million, spent
    £673 million and had assets worth £1.3 billion.
    The size distribution of charities in the region is broadly similar to the national pattern – that is, of the charities based in the region, the proportion in each size band is comparable. But the sector’s share of overall resources in the region is lower than on a population basis, because there are fewer very large charities. As a result, average incomes for charities in the North East are smaller than across the UK, with an average income of £153,400 compared to £207,500 nationally, but this is because the region has relatively few very large charities.
    Charities based outside the North East make a significant contribution to charitable expenditure in the region; charities based outside the North East spent £381 million in the North East in 2006/07. Charities based within the region spent £57 million in other regions of the UK.
    Charities providing social services make up one in five of all charities in the North East. There is also an over-representation of charities in the area of economic and community development, compared to the distribution for the UK as a whole.
    Charities in the North East are more reliant on statutory funding than UK charities; nearly half (49%) of the income of charities in the North East comes from statutory sources, compared to 38% for the UK.
    Over half (56%) of total income is earned, more than the UK average of 49%. Voluntary income makes up 35% of income of charities in the North East.
    Charities in the North East raised £9 for every £1 spent on fundraising – roughly the same as the UK average.
    Assets held by charities in the North East represent 1.9 years of expenditure, less than the UK average of 2.9 years.
    A variety of organisations make up the third sector in the North East. In addition to 4,760 general charities, 1,860 other regulated third sector organisations operate in the North East, including 71 housing associations, 693 companies limited by guarantee, 163 community interest companies, 652 industrial and provident societies and 282 faith groups.
    Together, these 6,620 third sector organisations had an income of £1.54 billion, spent £1.50 billion and had assets of £2.70 billion in 2007/08.

These findings are taken from the Northern Rock Foundation's Third Sector Trends study published September 2010. Not all registered charities are included in their data, see the report for clarification.