Running a business in the charity sector isn’t just about making a difference—it’s about making that difference together. You can have the best intentions in the world, but without a strong community around you, you’ll be that person at the bake sale with a table full of unsold traybakes.
We said it in the last blog: support isn’t a one-and-done deal. Connection is your bedrock, and to keep people connected you need to build a sense of community.
Community is what makes things happen. It isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s the foundation that keeps you standing when things get tough.
Here’s why it matters and how to build one that actually sticks around.
Community as Your Foundation
The charity and social enterprise world can be a lonely place if you’re trying to do it all yourself. But here’s the thing—you’re not supposed to.
The most successful charities and social enterprises aren’t lone wolves; they’re built on a foundation of people who share the same passion and drive for change.
Think of it this way: community is what turns your idea into action. It’s the volunteers who show up rain or shine, the local businesses that donate resources, the people who champion your cause even when you’re not in the room.
And if you’re thinking, “But we don’t have a community like that yet,” don’t panic. It starts small. A handful of people who care, who believe in your mission—those people are gold dust.
The charity sector is full of well-meaning people stretched thin, dealing with tight budgets, uncooperative partners and ever-changing regulations.
A strong community is the difference between thriving and burnout. It’s what helps you keep going when you feel like giving up (or when the printer eats yet another funding application).
How to Build and Nurture Your Community
A thriving community doesn’t just appear overnight (if only). But it’s also practically unavoidable if you do the work, consistently.
You need a plan, patience, and a genuine willingness to connect with people. That means more than just sending the occasional newsletter and hoping for the best. It’s about creating relationships—not transactions.
First, and central to your mission as well as your place within any community: Tell your story. People don’t connect with faceless organisations; they connect with other people.
Share the ‘why’ behind your mission, the challenges you’ve faced, and the wins, big ones and small ones. Share real insights, heart-to-hearts and behind-the-scenes glimpses of what makes your organisation tick (and sometimes stall). Make people feel part of the journey.
Then, listen. Really listen. Your supporters aren’t just there to give money or time—they want to be involved. Ask for their ideas, acknowledge their contributions, and show them they matter. Community is a two-way street.
And finally, be reliable. There’s nothing worse than a charity or social enterprise that appears once a year with an urgent appeal and then disappears again. Engage regularly, show up when it’s not just about fundraising, and let people know they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Because they are.
Our top tip here would be: Nurture and grow your email list.
That’s where you can really engage with your people; being given access to someone’s Inbox is a privilege and takes your relationship to a whole other level.
It’s like making a new friend. You pop in for a look around, make some compliments on the decor, perhaps bring along some goodies and, after a few visits, you’re exchanging the latest goss and your new mate is trying out your best flapjack recipe.
The Ripple Effect: How Community Creates Lasting Impact
A strong community doesn’t just support your work—it amplifies it.
When people feel invested in what you’re doing, they become your loudest advocates. They tell their friends, bring in new supporters, and keep the momentum going when your own energy is running on caffeine and sheer determination.
Community also makes your work more sustainable.
It’s easy to get caught up in short-term wins, but real impact takes time. Having a properly engaged community means you’re not constantly scrambling to find new supporters—you’re nurturing the ones who already believe in you.
And all of that gives us the best part: the ripple effect.
When you build a strong, engaged community, the impact doesn’t stop with you. It spreads. Your work inspires others, sparks new collaborations, and creates change beyond what you ever imagined.
Like the five small cleaning businesses in the Midlands that realised the similarities in their operations meant they were talking (and pitching!) to the same people.
While each have specific social missions, serving different marginalised groups and with a slightly different coverage area, they are all “dedicated to using cleaning as a means to help people into secure employment, earn a good wage and increase their confidence.” (https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/case-studies/collaborating-to-increase-impact-how-five-cleaning-social-enterprises-are-working-together/)
They saw an opportunity, not a problem. By choosing to collaborate and join forces, they expanded their coverage, won new business and massively increased their social impact.
So, if you take one thing away from this, let it be this: you are not in this alone. You have a big advantage over many other businesses—a real mission, a purpose to be proud of.
Gather your people around that mission. The more you invest in your community, the more they will invest in you. And when that happens, incredible things follow.
Now, go find your people. They’re out there, and they’re waiting for you.