ARVAC was established in 1978 as ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCHERS IN VOLUNTARY ACTION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, registered as a charity and incorporated in 1987. ARVAC received modest government funding early after its establishment. The organisation grew fairly rapidly and managed a number of projects. When the government's core funding was withdrawn the organisation came perilously close to collapse. It has taken years to restore the organisation, with some support from academic institutions, as a fully active player. It remains solely volunteer run.