How to access money locally

Dom Weinberg, Policy Officer,

National Council for Voluntary Youth Services

dominic@ncvys.org.uk

Fundraising info sources• http://www.ncvys.org.uk/funding_update.html - includes NCVYS monthly update

• Funding Central - includes funding opportunities in the form of grants, loans and contracts, as well as advice, support services and partnership opportunities• Community Matters Preparing Good Funding Applications• The Directory of Social Change Top Tips for Applying to Grant-Making Trusts and Foundations.• South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau (SYFAB) has regular updates and information sheets appropriate to groups in other regions• Local CVS and CVYS• Colleagues, trustees and beneficiaries

Funding possibilities• Funding streams for sports, art, environmental projects

• Participation funding and young people’s leadership. Even if this doesn’t directly bring funds into the company, will it develop skills which help the company with future funding opportunities?

• Workforce development – think long term (e.g. how to keep and develop your best volunteers)

• Lots of funds are for targeted work with disadvantaged young people. These might be large contracts you wouldn’t dream of delivering, but could you be part of wider bids in some way

• Trusts and foundations have £billions - some may work locally

• Do funds fit with your mission and values?

Should we apply?• Questions to think about before applying• 1. Is it deliverable? (That is, can you do what needs to be done without having to significantly change your operating model or deviate from your core work?)• 2. Is it winnable? (That is, do you meet the funder's criteria in the first instance, and do you have a strong case that elevates your proposal above others?)• 3. Is it financially viable? (That is, can you do all that needs to be done with the funds available?)

• Questions to think when writing application

• 1) What are you doing; 2) who will benefit; 3) why are you doing it; 4) what difference will your project make; 5) is your project likely to work?

Applying for funding• Participatory – work with young people (and the community)

• Innovative – doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, but something a bit different and exciting is probably far more appealing to funders. Accept that there can be a risk, but show evidence of good probability of success.

• Collaborative - inter-faith, intergenerational, international: contacts are crucial for building relationships

• What are current buzzwords? Early intervention, community, citizenship and responsibility, social mobility, leadership , opportunity

• But, be careful. Jargon can be a real problem, whether used by applicants or foundations, because it tends to suffocate the good stuff. Don’t let it cover up your passion and what you actually intend to do.

Funder's perspective• Funders will have a key set of guiding principles, an overall vision that they are trying to achieve. Your bid's outcomes need to be in step with those of the funder. You'll need to show how you've identified the need for your service, engagement with the intended audience, and most importantly, the measurable outcomes you are aiming to achieve.

• Soft outcomes seem to be out of favour in the current climate; successful bidders are identifying hard, tangible outcomes in order to win funding. 

• The funder should be a stakeholder in your charitable activities, and that means building a meaningful relationship with them, not just cashing their cheque.

Task• Come up with an ‘accessing money locally strategy’.• What will you do in the next 6-12 months• What will you do over the next 2-3-5 years?

• Firm plan to generate sustainability for the brigade• Set out next steps – e..g who will you approach next week?

Group discussion• What are you fundraising for? What is your strategy and what are your targets?• How much support do you rely on from grants / public donations / sponsorship from private business?• Who can you directly approach for support, e.g. business – and are these short-term arrangements (e.g. per camp) or do they have longer term agreements e.g. sponsorship, in-kind donations, cash gifts over the period of several years? • How do you work with neighbouring brigades /youth organisations –collaborating or competing?• Is ‘traditional’ fundraising – cake sales, sponsored events etc –worthwhile? Does it involve the community and can it be used in a positive way to reel people in and get them to donate more, become more involved in fundraising and promotion for the brigade?• Think about ‘alternative’ funding sources?

Further informationPlease contact ana@ncvys.org.uk with all enquiries

and she can signpost you to the most relevant individual in the correct organisation

Search for your local CVS (Community

and voluntary service)

See Know GB – Money Matters in Go Leader zone of www.girlsb.org

Register your interest – email nikki.hargreaves@girlsbrigadeew.org.uk to hear about Funding Central alerts local to you and receive support with applications