The Charity Essentials: Tailored Learning for the Third Sector
At the Charity Learning Consortium, we understand that the charity sector faces unique challenges and deserves learning resources that truly reflect its values and realities. That’s why we’ve created The Charity Essentials, a distinctive library of charity-specific learning content designed to meet the real needs of the not-for-profit world
Learning that speaks the charity language
While topics like trustees & governance, fundraising, and volunteering are naturally part of everyday charity life, we’ve also reimagined subjects such as leadership, coaching, and mentoring through a not-for-profit lens. The result? Resources that are free from corporate jargon, deeply practical, and aligned with the challenges and opportunities charities face every day.
There’s a growing demand for training that feels relevant to the third sector. Too often, learning materials are designed for the corporate world — leaving charities to adapt them on their own. The Charity Essentials library fills that gap, providing accessible, engaging content that speaks directly to the heart of charity work.
Bite-sized learning that sticks
Each collection was originally developed as a series of one-minute animated videos. You’d be surprised at how much insight can be shared in just sixty seconds! Because they’re short, fun, and easy to remember, they make perfect bite-sized learning experiences, ideal for busy charity professionals and volunteers alike.
To make them even more versatile, all materials are now available in both video and more in depth SCORM formats.
- Free for everyone: The videos are open to the entire charity sector — explore them at watch.clearlessons.com
- Exclusive for members: Charity Learning Consortium members also gain access to the SCORM packages as part of their membership. To find out more about becoming a member, get in touch.
Explore the collections
Fundraising
Developed in partnership with a fundraising expert and Chartered Institute of Fundraising Scotland member, this series reflects sector best practice. From managing donor relationships to ensuring ethical fundraising, it even maps directly to the Level 3 Fundraiser Apprenticeship.
Leadership
Leading in the charity sector means inspiring through purpose, not perks. This collection explores 12 key leadership themes, from mindset and resilience to courageous conversations, all written for the realities of limited budgets and big ambitions.
Mentoring and Coaching
Mentoring and coaching are powerful ways to unlock potential and share knowledge but they’re not the same thing. This content explores the differences and shows how each approach can be used to develop individuals and strengthen organisations.
Trustees and Governance
Governance doesn’t have to be daunting. These short animations bring trustee responsibilities to life, making complex topics approachable and memorable. Whether you’re new to a trustee role or an experienced board member, the series helps you understand legal duties, improve decision-making, and strengthen your organisation’s future.
Volunteering
With practical tips and real-world insights, this content gives volunteer managers the confidence to build strong, motivated teams, while also helping volunteers themselves feel valued, supported and equipped to make a real difference.
The Charity Essentials library continues to evolve alongside the sector’s needs. New topics are regularly added, ensuring that every resource remains relevant and impactful for today’s charities and the people who power them.
But the Charity Essentials is just the beginning. It’s part of the extensive learning library available through the Charity Learning Consortium, featuring over 500 topics covering every aspect of professional and personal development for the charity sector.
From Safeguarding, GDPR and Health & Safety, to Mental Health, Personal Development, Health & Social Care and many, many more, our comprehensive library supports the growth, wellbeing and effectiveness of your entire organisation.
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The Charity Mentoring Network is part of the CL Consortium group | A community platform that connects organisations, staff and volunteers together, so that they can support one another and share their knowledge and expertise