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The '''Directory of Social Change''' (DSC) exists to support charities in the work they do. A charity itself it provides training, books, funding sources, online resources, bespoke research, and it campaigns to make the UK a better environment for charities to thrive in.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/directory/company/224/directory_of_social_change_dsc|title = Directory of Social Change (DSC) - Civil Society - Directory - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits|publisher = Civil Society|accessdate = 25 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100307021951/http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/directory/company/224/directory_of_social_change_dsc|archive-date = 7 March 2010|url-status = dead}}</ref> Led by chief executive Debra Allcock Tyler, DSC’s activities bring it into contact with around 20,000 voluntary sector organizations each year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wiki.internationalfundraisingconsultancy.com/index.php5?title=The_Directory_of_Social_Change |title=The Directory of Social Change - IFC Wiki |publisher=Wiki.internationalfundraisingconsultancy.com |date=25 June 2010 |accessdate=6 July 2012}}</ref> DSC is largely self-sustaining and earns around 95% of its income through the sale of publications and training. DSC is a registered charity, limited by guarantee. The trustees of the charity are also members and directors of the company.<ref>Directory of Social Change, Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2014, Directory of Social Change, 2014.</ref>
== Activity == DSC’s main activities include: * Training in the areas of [[fundraising]], management and leadership, [[personal development]], [[finance]], [[law]], governance, marketing and communications, [[policy]], [[Political campaign|campaign]]s and research * Researching and publishing reference guides and handbooks * Providing subscription funding websites detailing sources of funding for the voluntary sector from trusts and foundations, the [[government]] and companies * Running conferences, seminars, briefings and fairs including Charityfair * Campaigning and policy work,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/search/Articles/|title=| Third Sector}}</ref> focusing on championing the needs of small and medium voluntary sector organizations<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/advice-support/umbrella-bodies-directory/dsc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722203228/http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/advice-support/umbrella-bodies-directory/dsc |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 July 2010 |title=Directory of Social Change (DSC) | National Council for Voluntary Organisations |publisher=Ncvo-vol.org.uk |accessdate=6 July 2012 }}</ref> * Undertaking bespoke research projects to inform charities * Providing free resources, top tips and [[best practice]] articles on its website
== History == In 1975 Michael Norton published a book entitled 'The Directory of Social Change' and the organization was formed. The book, was a directory, the first of its kind, full of ideas, information and contacts for those wanting to explore alternatives for creating better communities and a better society. The film maker [[Sue Crockford]] was a founding trustee and member for 35 years.<ref>{{Citation |last=Davin |first=Anna |title=Crockford, Susan Rosalind [Sue] (1943–2019), film-maker and community activist |date=2023-04-13 |url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/display/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-90000381078 |work=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |access-date=2023-08-26 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/odnb/9780198614128.013.90000381078 |isbn=978-0-19-861412-8|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Four directories were published on community, education, housing and women. In 1977, Michael organized his first fundraising training and started publishing practical information on fundraising, marketing, management and legal issues for charities. In 1984, looking for a more sustainable source of income, Michael created the first “Guide to Company Giving” and then asked Luke FitzHerbert to create a “Guide to the Major Trusts”.
This was how the Directory of Social Change started, adopting the principles of social enterprise in structuring how it operated and was funded.
In 1988, Luke FitzHerbert became co-director with Michael Norton and together they established DSC’s Liverpool office. In 1992, DSC organized the first Charityfair. In 1995, Norton and FitzHerbert stepped down as co-directors and Mike Eastwood was appointed as their successor. In 2001, Eastwood stepped down and Debra Allcock Tyler was appointed.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/whos_who/user/Debra-Allcock-Tyler|title = Debra Allcock Tyler - Civil Society - Who's who - providing news and in-depth coverage of charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits|publisher = Civil Society|date = |accessdate = 25 November 2015}}</ref>
Since 1975 DSC has helped make tens of thousands of charities stronger. In 2016, around 35 staff worked in their London and Liverpool offices.
==References== {{reflist|2}}
== External links == * [http://www.dsc.org.uk www.dsc.org.uk]
[[Category:Social welfare charities based in the United Kingdom]]