The Risk Collaborative
Crafting resilience by weaving risk
Our vision: Rethinking, redesigning, and rebalancing the power in the third sector through the lens of risk.
Welcome to The Risk Collaborative
The Risk Collaborative is a pioneering nonprofit initiative dedicated to transforming risk management in the third sector. We empower charities, nonprofits, and social enterprises to navigate uncertainty and harness opportunity as a catalyst for innovation and sustainable impact.
Our Mission
Our problem statement:
Charities and nonprofits worldwide struggle to manage the growing complexity of operational, financial, and reputational risks, yet the vast majority lack the tools and expertise to do so effectively.
In the United Kingdom, 67 percent of small and medium-sized charities (annual budgets under £5 million) report having no formal risk management framework, and 54 percent admit that unanticipated risks have led to program delays or funding losses in the past two years (NCVO, 2023). In sub-Saharan Africa, 58 percent of local NGOs surveyed by CAF (2022) lack the in-house capacity to assess and mitigate operational threats, resulting in 45 percent of organisations experiencing major service disruptions. Across North America, one in three nonprofits has faced a significant compliance or reputational crisis in the last five years, undermining donor confidence and community trust (Charity Navigator, 2023).
These gaps are especially acute in resource-constrained environments, where charities operate without the robust legal, financial, or technical support available to private‑sector or government entities. The Risk Collaborative works globally—with pilot programs in the UK and East Africa—to address this unmet need. By providing tailored education, data-driven tools, and access to vetted local experts, we help third‑sector organisations embed risk management into their daily operations.
Our work empowers charity trustees, senior managers, and funders to anticipate threats, seize opportunities, and share risk equitably—strengthening organisational resilience and restoring public trust in civil society.
What We Do
Our Approach
Our Mission
Nonprofits often work in environments characterised by complex challenges and limited resources.
Traditional risk management methods designed for profit-driven industries frequently fail to address the unique dynamics of the nonprofit world. At The Risk Collaborative, we believe in rethinking threats and opportunities for the third sector.
By fostering collaboration and leveraging innovative, trust-based approaches, we help organisations view risk as opportunity, strengthen operations, build resilience, and maximise social impact.
What We Do
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A secure, centralised, A-enabled platform that aggregates and analyses project delivery and operational risk data. This tool provides nonprofits with actionable insights to inform strategic decisions and improve program delivery.
We are currently seeking funding to pilot this initiative.
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A screened pool of knowledgeable local assurance professionals—including lawyers, accountants, auditors, and investigators—who bring technical expertise, knowledge of the third sector, and a deep understanding of local cultural and linguistic contexts.
This network ensures that charities receive assurance services that are both robust and contextually sensitive.
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We champion trust-based philanthropy and policy reform, engaging stakeholders to support equitable risk sharing and improved accountability for both funders and implementing partners.
Take a look at Our Projects to learn more about how we support third sector stakeholders to manage threats and identify opportunities.
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Our subject matter experts specialise in areas such as compliance, fraud, risk, data protection, and safeguarding.
They continuously scan the environment for emerging trends, thought leadership, and innovative practices, sharing their findings through workshops, publications, and events.
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We offer a range of workshops, webinars, and resources designed to enhance risk management skills for third sector stakeholders.
Our programs help build organisational resilience, promote transparency, and foster stronger partnerships across the sector.
Our Approach
We believe in adaptive, trust-based risk management, prioritising local expertise and collaborative problem-solving. By connecting funders, charity leaders, and local experts, we facilitate dynamic discussions on risk sharing and promote solutions as diverse and nuanced as the communities they serve.
Learn more about how we support Trustees, Leadership, and Funders strengthen partnerships and improve programmatic impact, all through better risk management.
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