Each year, our annual member survey gives us invaluable insight into what matters most to charity finance leaders – and how well CFG is supporting you. Your vital feedback continues to shape our priorities, our benefits and services and our voice on behalf of the sector. Read on to learn how...
Thank you to the 143 members who shared their views in the 2025/26 survey. Nearly half (49%) of the respondents to CFG's 2025/26 member survey were in senior roles (CFO, finance director, head of finance, CEO or other director roles) with just over half based in England and just under half based in the devolved nations or overseas.
Strong advocacy, value and loyalty
Approximately 90% of respondents rate CFG membership as good or excellent value for money, with 86% satisfied with the benefits, resources and support they receive.
Our Net Promoter Score of 55.7 remains firmly in the ‘excellent’ range for membership organisations, underlining both strong loyalty and advocacy across our community.
Members continue to tell us that CFG plays a vital role in helping them feel informed, confident and connected in an increasingly complex environment. As one respondent put it:
"CFG offers invaluable advice which could be very costly elsewhere."
A powerful network for charity finance professionals
CFG’s role as the UK’s largest go-to body for, and network of, charity finance professionals remains central to our value proposition. Members join not just for the benefit of discounted training and resources, but to connect, share experiences and learn from peers facing similar challenges.
This year’s survey showed particularly strong loyalty among long‑standing members, with two‑thirds having belonged to CFG for four years or more, and over one in five connected to CFG for more than a decade.
Respondents told us that CFG is often one of the first networks they engage with when moving roles, valuing both the professional credibility and sense of belonging it brings.
You said: networking and peer learning are essential.
We did: we have begun streamlining and strengthening our special interest and group networks. Later in 2026, we’ll be launching a new platform for peer‑to‑peer networking, sharing and learning to make this support easier to access.
“It’s simply the very best organisation for any charity finance person.”
Events and training
CFG’s events and training once again emerged as the most highly valued membership benefit. 91.3% of members attended a CFG event or training session in the past year, and 95.7% would recommend CFG events to colleagues and peers.
Webinars, training courses and conferences were consistently rated as highly valuable, with particularly strong demand for practical, finance‑focused topics such as SORP, VAT, risk, fraud, AI and strategic finance. Members value CFG’s ability to combine technical expertise with charity‑specific insight at an accessible price point.
You said: keep investing in high‑quality, practical learning.
We did: we’ve expanded our webinar programme, strengthened our SORP and technical training offer, and introduced more bitesize and affordable learning options to support charities of all sizes. We have also continued to broaden opportunities for in‑person connection through conferences, regional events and themed meetings. In spring 2026, we launched the Risk Leadership Programme and more learning opportunities will come online as we develop our new digital platforms.
“As a finance professional who moved from the commercial sector into the charity sector, CFG was invaluable in helping me navigate all the new things I was having to deal with. The training is second to none in the sector.”
A respected sector voice
Members continue to highly value CFG’s advocacy and policy work, particularly our role in representing charity finance perspectives to policymakers and regulators.
The survey shows strong recognition of CFG as a credible and trusted sector voice, with advocacy and representation consistently cited as areas members want us to continue prioritising – especially as regulatory change (58%) and economic uncertainty (78%) remain among the most significant challenges facing charities.
However, the survey also highlighted that while advocacy is valued, members want clearer visibility of impact and more practical, finance‑focused policy insight.
You said: show us how our voice is making a difference.
We did: we've launched a programme of free, online policy updates for members and increased the visibility of policy insights and guidance via our Knowledge Hub. In the past year, we've developed new resources including 'How to better communicate with your bank' and a new 'Know Your Cost Base' publication, supported by sector and corporate partners.
“As much as the individual benefits have value, it's more important to support and be part of a group which is there to speak up for all charities.”
Keeping you informed and up‑to‑date
Members rely heavily on CFG newsletters, updates and the website to stay informed. The survey shows regular engagement with CFG Fortnightly News (59%), the CPD newsletter (39%) and Finance Focus (35%).
Most members usually find what they need online, particularly for booking events and accessing a range of resources, including the Knowledge Hub. That said, a consistent theme emerged around the desire for more targeted and streamlined communications and website improvements.
You said: fewer blanket emails, clearer signposting of membership benefits.
We did: we’re developing and rolling out a new website and CRM in 2026, designed to make benefits easier to discover, improve membership self‑service and support more relevant, tailored communications. We've also launched bi-monthly 'Benefits of CFG Membership' webinars to helpfully remind members of all that CFG membership offers.
"You currently give accessible and easy to understand advice and regular updates on what matters most."
Supporting charities of all sizes
One of the strongest calls from this year’s survey was for more tailored support for smaller and regional charities, with members explicitly highlighting the need to recognise different levels of capacity and resource across the sector.
You said: smaller charities need accessible, practical support.
We did: CFG has committed to expanding regional engagement and increasing access to affordable learning and practical tools. Through new and existing partnerships, we will continue to develop free-to-access resources and content relevant for small charities.
A balancing act: reflecting a diverse membership
As a growing membership organisation, CFG represents a wide and diverse community of charity finance and operations professionals and charity leaders.
This year’s survey highlighted several areas where members’ needs and preferences naturally pull in different directions. For example, some members value short, accessible online webinars that fit around busy workloads, while others told us that in‑person events and conferences remain irreplaceable for deeper learning and relationship‑building.
Similarly, many members value the insight and expertise that corporate partners bring to CFG’s events, training and resources, while others asked for a clearer distinction between educational offers and promotion.
These perspectives reflect the breadth of our membership and the different contexts in which our members work. Our role is to hold these views in balance, ensuring CFG remains accessible, independent and member‑led, while we draw on specialist expertise, provide multiple ways to engage, and ensure the services and programmes we provide are good value for money.
Looking ahead
This year’s membership survey reinforces that CFG is doing many things well, particularly around learning, events, networking and advocacy.
We are actively working on the areas members have told us we need to sharpen, and we are confident that the launch of a new CRM, website and networking platform will drive positive change for our communications in the coming year.
If you responded to this year’s membership survey – thank you.
We value your feedback and will continue to use it to shape our programmes and services. Of course, you don’t have to wait for the next survey to have your say – we welcome feedback at any time! Email the team
Or come along and meet our team at an upcoming free 'Benefits of CFG Membership' webinar. Book now.
"...continue the wonderful positivity and enthusiasm shown by those who work at CFG. There's a real sense that you care and are passionate about what you do."