Rob Wilson unveils programme to help small charities bid for public services
In December 2016, the charities minister announced the launch of a suite of measures to help small and medium-sized charities overcome the barriers they face in the commissioning process. It is really positive that the government has recognised the statutory funding squeeze faced by smaller charities. We’re hopeful that this announcement is just the start and Nick Davies has blogged in a little more detail about what NCVO would like to see next.
Investment readiness grant fund extended
Big Potential Breakthrough, the Big Lottery Fund investment readiness fund, this week announced that it has been extended until the end of 2017. The £10m fund, which offers grants to charities and social enterprises to help them work out how social investment can work for them, had been due to close at the end of April. NCVO is an approved provider for Big Potential Breakthrough and can help at all stages of the application process. If you’d like to find out more or discuss a possible bid then please contact Lev Pedro.
Work and Health Programme launches this year
Also worth a look is the recent briefing on the Work and Health Programme, a welfare-to-work programme which will be launched in autumn 2017. The Work and Health Programme will provide specialised support for those unemployed for over two years and, on a voluntary basis, to those with health conditions or disabilities. The scheme, which replaces the much larger Work Programme, will be awarding contracts to service providers of £130 million a year by 2019/20.
Best of the fundraising blogs
- My top 3 tips for writing grant applications – Emma Beeston
- Charity digital in 2016, a summary of 2016’s best digital campaigns – Dan Smyth
- There have been interesting discussions about the ICO’s enforcement action: Farrer & Co lawyers ask if the ICO is ‘shifting the goalposts’, while data protection expert Tim Turner says it’s ‘a fair cop’.
Training and events
Go to the training and events section of our website to see all our upcoming events. Highlights include:
- Data protection seminar (Manchester) – 26 January
- Writing successful bids – 27 January
- Certificate in Financial Sustainability – starts 21 February
- Social value bootcamp – 3 March
- Understanding the numbers: Financial intelligence for trustees – 3 March
NCVO Annual Conference 2017: Leading with purpose
Join us on Thursday 20 April to explore the key elements you need to consider when leading your organisation, and further your professional development in expert-led workshops on topics including funding and impact. Find out more and book your place today.
NCVO/BWB Trustee Conference 2017
The annual Trustee Conference will take place on 14 November, 9.30-17.00, in London. Register your interest for more information about this conference as it becomes available.
You can always contact us about training or consultancy support. And if you have anything you think we should include in next month’s round-up, please do drop me a line.
Richard Sved is an NCVO sustainable funding consultant. He has worked and volunteered in the charity sector for 25 years. He has led the fundraising function (in-house and as an interim) for six national charities, including National Literacy Trust, Leap Confronting Conflict and Girlguiding. 
