Future of European Social Funds
The government has published its response to the work and pensions committee’s Future of the European Social Fund inquiry. They agree with the the committee (and the NCVO/ERSA working group) that the delivery of ESF often places a bureaucratic burden on providers, and recognise the need to provide wrap-around support for people with complex needs.
More details about a possible replacement to EU funding – through a UK Shared Prosperity Fund – will be determined at next year’s spending review. The government will be consulting on the design of UKSPF later this year, so please get in touch if your organisation delivers ESF funded programmes. Real-world examples of voluntary sector service delivery will be vital for us in highlighting the importance of supporting disadvantaged communities when we respond to the consultation.
APPG on Charities and Volunteering pre-budget meeting
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Charities and Volunteering recently met to develop a pre-budget submission on behalf of the group. A wide range of ideas were discussed, including better guidance on grants and contracts for VAT purposes, a toolkit to make tax efficient benefits more accessible and apparent to the public, the development of software for charities in preparation of Making Tax Digital, and the use dormant assets to support local communities. The APPG will be developing a submission which will be presented to the chancellor ahead of this year’s autumn budget.
Charity Tax Commission
The Charity Tax Commission’s call for evidence is coming to a close. This is first comprehensive review of the tax treatment of charities for over 20 years, so be sure to submit your ideas for reform before the consultation closes 17.00, Friday 6 July. Drop me a line if you have any questions about the commission.
Cultural Development Fund
On 21 June Arts Minister Michael Ellis launched a £20m fund for culture, heritage and the creative industries to benefit towns and cities across England. Areas will be able to bid for up to £7m for a number of projects in a certain area to help regeneration, create jobs and maximise the impact of investment. This could be for new spaces for creative businesses, bringing historic buildings back into use or redeveloping museums and art galleries.
New guidance for fundraising charities
The Fundraising Regulator has published new guidance reminding trustees to include additional information in their trustees’ annual report if their charity raises funds from the public or organisations. The guidance is endorsed by the Charity Commission and reminds independent examiners and auditors of matters that they should be considering when reviewing charity’s report and accounts.
Join us at our annual Campaigning Conference
We have now announced workshops for our annual Campaigning Conference, which this year takes place on 10 September. Topics include how to use evidence effectively in your campaign, using legal routes to campaign and developing a theory of change.
Update from Funding Central
If your organisation works to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the UK then check out the GlaxoSmithKline IMPACT Awards. The awards provide funding and training and development for charities doing excellent work in a health related field.
Administered by the King’s fund – ten award winners will receive £30,000 unrestricted funding with one overall winner receiving £40,000. There’s also awards for runners up of up to £3000. So it’s well worth a look if you are working in this area.
If you are not a charity working in a health related field there is still loads of info on funding available to you on Funding Central. Among the thousands of funding opportunities is the Trusthouse Charitable Foundation offering grants for organisations working in community support, arts, education and heritage projects in areas of urban deprivation or remote, deprived rural areas.
To find out more about these funds or to search for thousands of other funding opportunities visit Funding Central
Training
Charity finance for non-financial managers – 21 September
This course will provide you with increased confidence and greater ability to review and assess your organisation’s financial health.
Writing a sustainable funding strategy – 25 and 26 September
A new two day course will help you to take control of your organisation’s financial future
Enterprisingly charitable – 11 October, London
Taking a practical look at all the elements that need to be considered when starting up an enterprise within the context of a charity.
Writing successful bids – 12 October, Manchester
This course will teach you the key tactics to make your bid stand out
Financial intelligence for trustees – 30 November, London
A course to help you to review and assess financial information, improving your ability to monitor resources, articulate impact and make better decisions
NCVO/CES is having a summer promotion. All of our courses are delivered by experienced facilitators. Book a space on Outcome and impact measurement – 12 and 13 July 2018. And receive 20% off the cost of the course. This offer is available until 11 July 2018
Paul joined NCVO over seven years ago after working for a leading public affairs agency. Since then he’s led our policy work on a variety of issues, including welfare-to-work reforms, volunteering, the Compact, public service commissioning and procurement regulations. He now leads our work on funding and finance with a particular focus on charity tax relief and safeguarding EU funding post-Brexit. 
