Updated daily by the expert Fund-it Pundit, with information about new funding schemes, approaching deadlines and sector and consultation news!  Voluntary and Community funding made clear…

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The latest report from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) UK Giving series has been released this week and reveals what has happened to charitable giving during the recession.

The annual publication, which seeks to provide an overview of the latest trends in individual charitable giving, reported that the economic downturn has caused an 11% decrease in charitable donations throughout the UK, returning figures to those reported in the 2006/07 financial year.  Currently, 54% of adults donate in an average month, down two percent from 56% in 2007/08.

Some charitable giving factors have not been impacted by the recession, however.  The methods by which people choose to donate to charity have remained relatively stable, with most opting to give cash.  Similarly, the types of causes people are keen to support remain the same – with religion and medical research coming out on top.

In terms of moving forward in order that charitable giving and the third sector as a whole might weather the economic storm, the report points towards the maximizing of Gift Aid to help offset falls in donations and the simplification and improvement of the system of tax relief on donations for higher earners.  Planned giving, which would allow charities to predict their income more effectively and plan strategically, was also flagged up as an important measure and calls were made to government and the sector to enhance and promote these mechanisms.

For further information and to download a copy of the publication visit the NCVO website: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/research/index.asp?id=15262.

Source: NCVO

A report released today by umbrella body the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has warned that government cuts in public service delivery contracts could spell disaster for the voluntary and community sector throughout the UK.

The report, The State and the Voluntary Sector – Recent trends in government funding and public service delivery – details the significance of public service delivery by voluntary sector organisations on behalf of the government and estimates that sector income from these endeavours currently totals £12 billion.  It also reveals that up to 25,000 voluntary organisations in the UK depend on statutory sources and public service contracts for up to three-quarters of their income. 

Worryingly, sector experts fear that voluntary and community organisations and the public service contracts aligned to them could be seen as an easy target for government cut backs.  This catastrophic blow could come despite the fact that many of the organisations which will be effected are currently delivering local, front-line services in social care, employment and training, law and advocacy, education and housing and providing much-needed support to recession hit communities.

Stuart Etherington, CEO, NCVO said:

“Public sector funders must avoid a knee jerk reaction.  Ill thought out cuts would ravage communities across the UK.  When developing spending plans, government, nationally and locally – must understand the vita contribution projects run by voluntary and community organisations make.  These services are not just nice add-ons; they are critical of the well-being of communities across the UK”.

For further information visit the NCVO website:

http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/

Source: NCVO, 04/09/09

A fifteen strong network of voluntary sector organisations from across Europe have joined forces with NCVO to create the European Network of National Associations (ENNA).

The ENNA project, spearheaded by NCVO and involving organisations from countries such as Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Portugal and Scotland, will bring together voluntary and community bodies from throughout Europe in order to engage in discussion about the current economic climate.  It is hoped the network will also serve to promote the sharing of best practice on capacity-building for the third sector, develop recession-beating tactics and resources and establish a European Charter, similar to the UK Compact.

Stuart Etherington, CEO of NCVO, commented:

“This is a momentous occasion and I am proud that so many countries are represented and we look forward to more joining. It is a critical time for the voluntary sector across Europe which makes it all the more crucial that we have come together to share experiences and look for ways to deliver far reaching benefits to communities across the Union”.

For further information, visit NCVO: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/.

Source: NCVO, 23/07/09

Non-departmental government body Capacitybuilders has announced that up to 500 third sector organisations have received cash injections from the Real Help for Communities Modernisation Fund, despite it only being open a matter of months.

The programme, intended to encourage third sector groups to explore the possibilities of merging and collaborating with other organisations in order to combat the effects of the recession, has proved very popular, particularly with those involved in frontline services now in high demand because of the current economic climate.

Matt Leach, Capacitybuilders’ Chief Executive said:

“We are seeing a particularly high level of interest from smaller organisations working in community cohesion, debt and other advice, and family and mental health support services, reflecting the increased demand from communities for this sort of help as a result of the recession”.

Third Sector Minister, Angela Smith, praised the warm response to the programme and the sector’s attitude to change:

“I…pay tribute to the third sector organisations that have the vision to consider modernisation so that they can do more for the people who need their help”.

The current funding round will remain open until 17 July and it is anticipated that successful applicants will be able to bid for an additional grant of £10,000 to develop merger and partnership working plans further in the Autumn.

For further information visit: http://www.modernisationfund.org.uk/

The Big Lottery Fund (BLF) has unveiled its new funding strategy for the next six years.

Following on from the Big Thinking consultation in the Autumn of 2008, which asked stakeholders and the general public how they thought the Big Lottery budget should be spent, the BLF has announced its new funding strategy.   The strategy includes an extra £45 million to help charities hard-hit by the recession and a pledge to give at least 80% of its money to voluntary and community organisations.

The £45 million recession package will be distributed this financial year and will include cash injections for existing funding programmes such as the Reaching Communities scheme, Basis and Awards for All.  

In addition to extra money being made available, the BLF have also outlined new priorities and directions for their grant-making, with projects that reduce isolation and promote community cohesion and front-line services, now at the very top of their agenda.

Voluntary sector leaders have given the new funding strategy a mixed reception.  Ralph Michell, head of policy at Acevo, welcomed the changes and the extra money claiming, “The sector is going through a difficult time and needs all the help it can get”.  Navca’s Kevin Curley and NCVO’s Stuart Etherington, however, were less impressed and urged the BLF to increase its grant-making to voluntary organisations to 100%, citing the current economic climate, which has led to the slashing of available local authority grants and the creation of a difficult environment in which to fundraise, as a key motivation for such action.

Source: Big Lottery Fund

The government’s £70 million Communitybuilders programme will open in July 2009.

Communitybuilders, a joint venture between the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), is an investment programme providing financial assistance and advisory support to empower citizens and communities throughout England.

The initiative, launched in response to commitments within the 2008 Communities in Control: real people, real power White Paper, is intended to build more cohesive, empowered and active communities through a mixture of grants, loans and non-financial support.

Communitybuilders will seek bids from new and already existing organisations, often known as ‘community anchors’ (which include, but are not limited to, development trusts, settlements and multi-purpose community groups).

Eligible organisations will need to be ambitious and have the ability to offer places for communities to meet and provide and host valuable community services.  They must be controlled by local residents, be inclusive and address local issues and needs.

The Communitybuilders fund is not yet open to applications but it is anticipated that the application process will begin in July 2009.  It will be delivered by a national partner on behalf of the DCLG and the OTS.

For further information, visit the Office of the Third Sector website:

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector.aspx

Source: Cabinet Office

A new Cabinet sub-committee to tackle barriers to service delivery has been welcomed by the third sector.

The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) has invited representatives from eight Whitehall departments including the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Communities and Local Government to join forces with an advisory group of third sector representatives to form a new sub-committee.

The committee has been tasked with removing barriers faced by third sector organisations attempting to win central government public service delivery contracts and will carefully scrutinise the procurement procedures of a range of government departments in order to make them more effective and accessible.

The announcement of the sub-committee has been well received by the third sector.  Peter Kyle, deputy chief executive of Acevo, commented that the creation of the advisory body was a “triumph” and suggested it would have “real clout”.  Ben Kernigham, deputy chief executive of NCVO, also welcomed the committee, but urged them to take relevant and decisive action quickly:

“Voluntary sector organisations have already identified the barriers to their involvement in public service delivery.  We now need the committee to tackle these issues and take appropriate action.”

For further information visit the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) website: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector.aspx

Source: Cabinet Office

A new grants programme to provide support to organisations that manage volunteers has been announced by non-departmental government body, Capacitybuilders.

The £3 million programme, developed in response to recommendations from the 2008 Commission on the Future of Volunteering, is intended to develop a long-term vision for volunteering throughout England and is keen to help ensure that volunteers have the best possible experiences whilst volunteering.

The importance and prominence of volunteering has sky-rocketed since the economic downturn and, as Campbell Robb, Director-General for the Office of the Third Sector, confirms, it is now more important than ever to ensure volunteering programmes are effective and useful for everyone involved:

“This £3 million fund represents the Government’s ongoing support for volunteering.  This is particularly important now, as volunteering organisations are reporting that more people want to volunteer to gain new skills and improve their employability.  It is vital that our dedicated volunteers are properly managed and developed in their roles, to ensure that they are in the best position to take up future opportunities.”

It is anticipated that the grants programme will be delivered via three separate initiatives:

Strand A:  a £1.6 million funding pot until March 2011 that will be targeted at around 25 local volunteering development organisations to help them provide outreach and other direct support services to people who manage volunteers.  30 local expert partnerships throughout England will be invited to develop project proposals by autumn 2009.

Strand B:  a £200,000 grant specifically targeted for the national strategic support of volunteer management, coordinated via the existing Modernising Volunteering national support service.

Strand C:  a £1 million bursary fund available from April 2010 to help support training for people managing volunteers.

In the coming months, Capacitybuilders will continue to consult with key stakeholders to develop the bursary, ahead of its launch in the spring of 2010.

For further information visit:  http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/

Source: Capacitybuilders

The former parliamentary private sectary to Gordon Brown, Angela Evans Smith, has been announced as the new Minister for the Third Sector in the latest cabinet reshuffle.

Smith, MP for Basildon and former member of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), will replace previous minister, Kevin Brennan, who is set to join the new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, headed by Peter Mandelson.

A prominent and active supporter of charities, Smith is a patron of a number of organisations, including the Captive Animals Protection Society, the Burned Children’s Club and Basildon Women’s Refuge, and cites a range of causes including animal welfare, child protection, employment, youth issues and employment as key personal interests.

Pledging to continue to promote and recognise the “vital role” of the Third Sector in today’s society, Smith said:

“As a Government we need to ensure that the right advice, support and financing is available […].  I will drive forward the Government’s support for a thriving third sector and champion the innovative and dedicated work of those of you who serve in the sector.”

Third Sector members have warmly welcomed Smith’s appointment, with Acevo chief executive, Stephen Bubb, claiming it marked a “promotion for the sector”. 

Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, was also replaced last week following her resignation from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).  She will be succeeded by the former secretary of state for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham.

Source: Cabinet Office

Details regarding the £16.7 million Hardship Fund for the Third Sector announced as part of this year’s budget have been released.

The Hardship Fund, an initiative to support the £42.5 million Real Help for Communities action plan for the Third Sector, will provide grants to front-line organisations delivering services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society and those most hard-hit by the recession.

It is anticipated that grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 will be available to organisations that are in financial hardship and that deliver services in the following areas:

• Health and social care.
• Housing support.
• Education and training.
• Information, advice and guidance.

More information about the Hardship Fund’s delivery partner, when the programme will be open to applications and how to apply will be available shortly.

For further information visit: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector.aspx

Source:  Office of the Third Sector