VODG Subscriptions 2025/26

In 2024, VODG undertook a comprehensive review of our subscription model, revealing that our membership fees were significantly lower than those of other membership organisations with a similar structure and services. Our analysis indicated that over the past fifteen years, our subscription fees had increased at a rate that lagged well below the inflation rate, which posed challenges to our financial sustainability.

As a result of this assessment, we introduced a revised subscription structure for the 2024/25 membership year, which categorised organisations with an annual turnover between £75 million and £99 million, as well as those exceeding £100 million. This change reflects our commitment to aligning membership fees more accurately with the financial capacities of member organisations. In March 2024, we made the strategic decision to transition our existing members into these updated categories starting in the 2025/26 membership cycle.

Under the previous membership structure, organisations that now generate significantly higher turnover—particularly those with revenues above £100 million—were paying the same membership fees as smaller organisations with turnovers ranging from £41 million to £50 million. This disparity led to inequities that needed to be addressed.

These adjustments were crucial to ensure fairness and equity among our membership base, especially given the financial challenges impacting all of us. Like you, we are a registered charity, and VODG has been operating at a deficit for the past two years. This deficit is due to rising operational costs, increased service demands, and economic pressures. We expect these financial trends to persist for the next few years, even with the upcoming fee increases we are implementing.

Moving Forward

We are actively diversifying our income streams and exploring opportunities such as partnerships and other initiatives. Our goal is to ensure that the financial burden is not solely borne by our members, thereby preserving the affordability and accessibility of our services. By taking these steps, we aim to maintain our organisation’s viability and continue supporting our community effectively.

We fully recognise the financial difficulties that our members face in the current economic climate. However, to maintain our ability to provide vital support, resources, and essential services, we must adopt a fair and appropriate fee structure that reflects the capabilities of our diverse member organisations.

We understand that the timing for these changes may not be ideal, especially as many are navigating their own financial constraints. Yet, we find ourselves in a position where we must prioritise the long-term sustainability of our organisation to ensure we can continue offering valuable support to all our members.

We are committed to ensuring that our members, including small and large organisations, continue receiving exceptional value from their membership. Even with these necessary increases, the benefits and support provided will far outweigh the costs. We aim to reinforce our dedication to our members, ensuring they have access to resources, support, and networking opportunities.

We hope this will help you understand our decision. If you would like to discuss this further, or if an online catch-up would be useful, please do let us know.