Most charities are not short of dedication
They are short of the right expertise, at the right time, in the right form
Kim Perlow saw that problem clearly — and built something to solve it.
Working at the intersection of skilled volunteering and grassroots need, Kim has gone deep inside the voluntary sector — watching capable, committed organisations fall short. Not because of who they were. But because of the expertise they couldn’t reach.
That observation became a mission.
The impact of her work speaks for itself:
→ Founded Link UP London in 2016, connecting professionals with small charities through focused, short-term projects
→ Created a volunteering model that is flexible, practical and designed for real life
→ Strengthened strategy, operations and leadership across grassroots organisations
→ Built capacity without creating dependency, leaving communities stronger and more self-sufficient
→ Delivered lasting social impact, quietly and consistently, for nearly a decade
But what makes Kim’s contribution truly extraordinary isn’t just the model she built.
It’s that she made something complicated look effortless.
Small charities need specialist skills — strategic planning, fundraising support, HR expertise, communications guidance, operational advice. Most can’t afford them. Meanwhile, thousands of professionals want to give back but don’t know where to start. Kim saw both sides of that equation and connected them.
No endless committees. No vague commitments. Just meaningful support that helps organisations grow stronger.
She puts it simply: when skilled professionals and purposeful charities find each other, communities don’t just survive — they thrive.
This is why Kim Perlow is our 2025 Novi Social Impact of the Year winner.
Leadership that works quietly, builds steadily and leaves everything stronger than it found it. That is the kind of impact worth celebrating.
Kim did not just spot the gap. She closed it.
She’s raising the standard for what sustainable social impact looks like.
✨ Know a woman who is quietly changing the game in her field? The 2026 Novi Awards nominations are open. Free to nominate. Takes 5 minutes. Could change her life.
Nominations close 15th June. Don’t wait.
