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Non-Profit Organisations


Why and how to partner with us

The Open University works around the world developing projects that address a wide range of environmental, social and cultural problems. Whatever the aim of your organisation, we can help you to achieve large scale reach and impact. The work of the academics across the university ranges from artificial intelligence, to extra-terrestrial atmosphere analysis, to mental health and biodiversity. And, we can combine knowledge across disciplines to establish unique and effective project teams.

When it comes to public education we are second to none. Our ground-breaking OpenLearn and FutureLearn platforms alone have reached 69 million learners since 2006. Every need for knowledge is met by the hundreds of courses and other educational resources that the sites provide. Our teaching expertise has also enabled us to take distance learning even further, reaching millions in developing countries who do not have reliable energy or internet provision. Partnerships are recognised through our extensive communications on social media, publications to donors and alumni (25,000 and 450,000 respectively) and regular student communications. To talk to one of the team about your organisation and how we could work together, please click here to get in touch.
 

A screenshot of the OpenLearn platform showing the 'Everyday Maths 1' free course

Non-profit partnership logos including Dangoor Education, Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, The Wolfs Foundation, ABF, Esmee Fairbairn, Veterans' Foundation, The Worshipful Company of World Traders, the big give and UFI charitable trust

 

The Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership (CVSL)

CVSL is an ‘Academic Centre of Excellence’ in the Open University Business School initially established with a generous philanthropic gift from OU alumnus Anthony Nutt.

The Centre works collaboratively with stakeholder groups across academic, practitioner and policy communities with the view to advance understanding of the complexity of the problems organisations are facing, the ambiguities pertaining to stakeholders’ responsibilities and accountabilities, and the dynamics caused by ever-changing public policies on matters that affect the work of voluntary organisations.

Over the last decade, the voluntary sector has been increasingly challenged by austerity measures and the shifting expectations of what support the voluntary sector, can, could and should provide. Smaller organisations, which form the majority of the sector, have been particularly impacted by this increasingly unstable environment. Leaders and senior managers of organisations, whether paid or unpaid, are required to operate in a highly competitive, increasingly commercialised context. The need for a Centre focused exclusively on leadership in the voluntary sector is driven by the recognition of the importance of effective leadership as a key factor in shaping organisational culture and is one of the most influential factors in the sustainable delivery for those organisations.

The Centre offers a fresh take on leadership in the voluntary sector, exploring everyday practices, and the actions and interactions that get things done. CVSL is dedicated to providing leadership development modules and research-led insights for voluntary sector organisations. It aims to support them by offering free educational resources and fostering collaborative leadership practices. CVSL focuses on developing leadership that is practical and responsive to the challenges faced by the voluntary sector, emphasizing the importance of collective action and shared practice in achieving organisational goals. For more information about CVSL visit The Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership .