Third Sector article: Less impact, less economy – resisting the commodification of charity

Third Sector, 18 February 2026 .

The sooner we start to develop a set of values and identity of our own, the sooner we will become a true force for justice, equity and community

Every 10 years we rebrand charity. Now we are the ‘impact economy’. You might know us as ‘voluntary sector’ ‘third sector’ or ‘big society’: new name, same great flavour.

I understand the value of the hard work done to make us appear more relevant to the changing times, and respect those who have laboured on the latest frameworks. But I think words matter a great deal in our culture: they influence how we conceive of ourselves, and how we are perceived by others. They tell us what is valued, and what we think our values should be. And they decide where we – and others – will focus efforts and resources.

Read the full article here

Third Sector Magazine Article