Impact Measurement-Trial for charities and third sector

GuideStar UK seeks partners to trial impact-measurement

Charity information service GuideStar UK is looking for partners to help it develop a comprehensive impact-reporting and benchmarking system.

Les Hems, director of third sector data and analysis at GuideStar UK, is seeking funding to run a pilot benchmarking project that would enable third sector organisations to compare performance and improve efficiency.

Hems aims to divide third sector organisations into categories using criteria such as objectives, geographical location, assets, size, income streams and staff profiles, and to provide data based on a number of metrics.

"We'd like to run a pilot scheme with a small, sub-sector umbrella organisation," he said. "We'd collect data from their members. If that worked, we'd expand the concept to other sub-sectors."
He said the system, which organisations would have to pay for, would let charities compare themselves with other organisations and make judgements about where they could improve efficiency.
"You could compare yourself to other campaigning organisations, or other organisations in the same region, or other organisations with incomes of more than £2m, or all of those, and measure your comparative fundraising ratios or staff costs," he said.
"The system would allow organisations to report on their impact in a more meaningful way and enable funders to target the organisations where they could do the most good for charities. Too much social return on investment tends to be judged on a case-by-case basis. We would like to change that by developing standards by which the entire market can be judged."

Social Enterprise Blog Specials

UnLtd World, the networking website for social entrepreneurs, will host a guest blog from a figure in the world of social enterprise every day until the end of November. Among the organisations that will be represented are the British Library, One Water and Divine Chocolate.

Phone a Friend?

It is your money after all and you can spend it how you like. But I was struck the other day by the turn of conversation at a Funding Surgery 'up North'.

We were chatting to one group about the funding available for their community building and how we can help them develop their application form. That is what we're here for afterall. I was told, 'No don't worry, we have someone who can help us do this.' This is fair enough I suppose. Come Monday morning I have message on my desk form the consultant who they infact went on to hire to help them develop their application form asking can I help him! Seems skewed to me.

Engagement Gateway...New Deadline

Engagement Gateway & Intermediate Labour Market Schemes: New Deadline for Organisations to Tender for Contracts


The Engagement Gateway Scheme and the Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) Scheme  have re-opened their approved supplier lists  providing a second opportunity for organisations to become eligible to tender for contracts in Convergence areas of Wales. POwys remains of course within the Competitive region and its date will be announced in due course. If  a Powys agency was looking to deliver contracts in a convergence area then this given date is relevant.


The schemes, backed by over £50 million of European and Welsh Assembly Government funding, aim to tackle economic inactivity by investing in organisations that give people facing barriers to employment the skills and opportunities to get back into work.


The Gateway and ILM schemes, first launched at the end of 2008, and are now issuing tender opportunities of up to £150,000 and £300,000 respectively.


The schemes aim to move different economically inactive groups towards employment through the support of contracted organisations.  Organisations contracted under the Gateway will be expected to develop the skills and confidence of target groups and link progress to a 'next step' such as a referral to another project, volunteering, training, supported or non-supported employment.


The ILM scheme requires organisations to offer on-the-job training and support to target groups via a period of supported employment.


Contracts will be granted through a tendering process to deliver projects throughout Wales.  Organisations may be operating in the public, private or third sector.


To join the approved supplier lists, organisations will need to complete and submit a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) by 1pm on Friday 29 January 2010.




http://www.wcva.org.uk/

Money Available Still for Communities First areas...

Funding Still Available from the Communities First Trust Fund !!!!!!

Just a reminder that there is still funding available via the Communities First Trust Fund for 2009/2010 and with the deadline for applications fast approaching, its advisable to get any applications you are working on with groups in sooner rather than later.

Remember:

• If you want any help or advise on completing the applications, please contact any member of the CFTF team on 0800 587 8898 who will more than happy to help you.
• Groups cannot apply for the same / similar items or an identical project previously having received funding from the Trust Fund
• The deadline for applications is Friday 29 January 2010. – BUT completed application packs will be given priority and applications are processed on a first come first serve basis.
• Don’t let the CFTF allocation of funding for your ward end up in an underpsend which could be utilised by other areas. !!!

For any queries, please contact us on 0800 587 8898 or help@wcva.org.uk

Funding For Credit Unions etc._Imminent Deadline

As part of it's work to try to re-balance the financial services market, the Friends Provident Foundation wishes to create conditions throughout the UK under which access to appropriate financial services might be permanently improved for those who are currently excluded, particularly those on low incomes or otherwise vulnerable to market failure.
Judgements will be made on the scope of the proposed work, rather than on the amounts required, but the Foundation does not expect to make financial commitments over £200,000 in cash terms.  The Foundation is willing to consider requests for loans, part-loans, underwriting, or other forms of financial support, in addition to grant funding.
Applications from any type of legally independent organisation within the UK, provided its work is legally charitable, will be considered.
Projects must contribute towards the achievement of the following specified outcomes:

• Shared vision.
• Universal banking access.
• Sustainable approaches to funding debt advice.
• Increasing savings.
• Clarification of the role of affordable credit.
• Sustaining the progress.

The next deadline for application is 13 November 2009.
See:  http://www.friendsprovidentfoundation.org

Wallace & Gromit

The Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation raises money to improve the quality of life for children in hospitals and hospices throughout the UK.
Grants are available for projects which are not directly funded by the NHS and enrich and enhance the lives of patients in hospitals and hospices in regional centres throughout the country.
Applications are welcomed from registered charities in the UK and preference will be given to projects conceived by and in children's hospitals and hospices.
The deadline for applications is 7 December 2009.

Procurement Made Easy...

I doubt that it is quite that. But this new guide produced by NCVO and NAVCA  looks like it should be essential reading for anyone considering tendering for contract-and there were quite a few at the PAVO's Grants Fit For Funding training session the other week so click here

Climate Change Grant Fund - Open to Applications

The third sector in Wales is being encouraged to lead the way in tackling climate change through this new scheme.  The Climate Change Grant Fund aims to help educate, inform and enable those wishing to lower the contribution of their community, organisation or group to climate change.


Grants of between £200 and £2,000, covering up to 100% of project costs are available to notfor-profit organisations that have not yet worked to combat climate change.  Examples of the types of projects and activities that could be funded include:

•    climate change awareness raising initiatives;
•    encouraging positive behaviour change amongst individuals and communities;
•    exploring and planning for the future impacts of climate change on the applicant organisation's activities and those it represents;
•    establishing links with other organisations/groups that have an established climate change remit;
•    learning from good practice/training; and
•    testing the feasibility of new ideas or new ways of working.

No website yet, but I guess it will be WAG-watch this space...


The deadline for receipt of applications is 1 March 2010.

Test Post

Yes, you who are among us...you can subscribe to updates via traditionla 'email' updates and this is a test to see how it looks and works....it's only  a test