Last week I took part in the biggest engagement between the government and civil society that has taken place in decades. The Prime Minister launched the new Covenant, marking the next chapter in the relationship between the state and civil society.
To me, it felt like a reset in the relationship – a real turning point. It genuinely felt meaningful and I heard real authenticity from all of the speakers.
Sir Keir Starmer was standing by his promise made before the election: to work in partnership with civil society to deliver the government’s missions, and he spoke about the Covenant providing a blueprint for a new way of working together.
Crucially, the Covenant provides a framework that could significantly shape how charities – especially fundraisers – operate and engage with government and funders.
So what does it all mean for fundraisers and fundraising? Here are some of my early reflections.
The Covenant emphasises recognition and respect for civil society’s independence, including its right to campaign and advocate. For fundraisers, this legitimises the work of charities as trusted voices in society, reinforcing the value proposition to donors and supporters.
The Covenant promotes co-design and co-commissioning between civil society and government. Fundraisers should anticipate more collaborative opportunities with public bodies, where charities have a seat at the table in shaping services and funding approaches.
A key theme is involving those affected by policies in decision-making. Funders will likely expect fundraisers to demonstrate how their organisations include beneficiary voices in program design and storytelling.
Transparency, accountability, and data-sharing are central. Fundraisers should ensure robust impact reporting, open communication with donors, and readiness to share both successes and lessons learned.
The government will publish annual reports on Covenant implementation. These will shape future funding and policy – a chance for fundraisers to influence narratives through data and success stories.
While promising, the Covenant doesn't guarantee new money. Charities must still compete for limited funding, guard against superficial partnerships, and avoid mission drift when aligning with government priorities.
I asked this question at the summit to Kirsty McNeil, Scotland Office Minister. The Covenant is described as “national” but most of the focus is on England and Wales. Minister McNeil reassured that the government is also committed to a reset in the relationship between Westminster and Holyrood and is building strong relationships with civil society in Scotland and Northern Ireland and said “please assume that you’ve got an open door, please assume we are listening, but remember that what we are looking for is transformational solutions, big answers to the difficult problems.”
So, overall – this is promising. This is a step in the right direction. This is a clear acknowledgement of the value of civil society. And I look forward to the next steps, working with government and continuing to advocate on behalf of our members.