Parting Shot

The great end of life is not knowledge but action. What men need is as much knowledge as they can organize for action; give them more and it may become injurious. Some men are heavy and stupid from undigested learning.'

Thomas Huxley  (1825-1895)

Skills for the future-Applications Now Open...

So, if you're maybe developing some kind of intermediate labour market opportunity, maybe you are a social enterprise and you're renovating and re-interpreting your water mill as part of a community regeneration project this looks like it'd be good to look into--

Skills for the Future is a £5 million targeted grants programme to support organisations across the UK to create new opportunities for work-based training in the heritage sector.  It is hoped that the programme will make an important contribution to helping the heritage sector prepare for, and play a role in, the post-recession economy.
Skills for the Future aims to fund projects which provide paid work-based training placements to meet a skills gap in the heritage sector and which fully support trainees to learn practical skills.  Grants will be given to organisations or partnerships to plan and deliver a new training programme for a specified number of trainees.  Typically, these programmes will provide trainees with an individual plan and enable them to work alongside one or more experienced heritage professionals in the work place.
The types of skills to be encouraged by this initiative include, for example:

• skills to plan, manage and deliver learning programmes for a variety of different audiences;
• community engagement skills, for example, the skills needed to work with under-represented audiences in heritage;
• volunteer management skills in heritage settings;
• interpretation skills, for example, to create engaging and accessible exhibitions;
• skills to manage the impacts climate change will have on heritage or to reduce the carbon footprint of heritage assets;
• skills to use digital technology in heritage conservation, learning or participation.

Sector-specific skills will also be supported.
Grants of between £100,000 and £1 million are available.  Supported projects will normally last for up to four years, with some extending to five years, and will provide for training placements of between three and 18 months long.
Applications are welcomed from single organisations and partnerships in the UK.  Priority is given to not-for-profit organisations and partnerships.  Partnerships might be drawn from organisations whose main purpose is to conserve or engage people with heritage; third sector organisations; Sector Skills Councils or local authorities; professional bodies; learning and training providers; private sector companies, for example, those specialising in conservation.
The deadline for the receipt of applications is 19 March 2010.

Web Ref is: http://www.hlf.org.uk/

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

Community Asset Transfer Fund

Launch of the Community Asset Transfer Fund for Public and Third Sector Organisations in Wales


From 27th October the Big Lottery Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government have opened to applications a new funding programme, providing capital and revenue grants to support the transfer of assets from public sector organisations to community ownership.


Through Community Asset Transfer Fund (CAT), up to £13 million will be invested in communities, helping them transfer, develop, manage, and sustain assets, such as land or buildings, thereby improving neighbourhoods and people's livelihoods.  The primary aim of the programme is to help communities become stronger and more sustainable.


Grants will be awarded up to the value of £800,000, including a combination of both capital and revenue costs.  Revenue grants range from £50,000 to £300,000 and capital grants range from £250,000 to £500,000.


Assets transferred from public sector bodies will be passed to enterprising organisations that actively involve and benefit the communities they serve, for example, those working towards improving the services and/or facilities.  Applications must be from cross-sector partnerships containing third sector organisations.  They must include at least one third sector organisation and one public sector organisation.


The CAT programme will be delivered via three competitive funding rounds.  Round 1 will comprise a Fast-track round, which has been introduced to enable early investment in projects that are fully developed and ready to start work immediately.  It is anticipated that rounds 2 and 3 will be launched during 2010.


The deadline for receipt of Round 1 applications, by Expression of Interest, is 4 December 2009.

Another short notice deadline but....

Learning Promotion Grants

Closing Date Friday 6^th November (for an event planned for the December /January Your, Your Choice, Your Action Campaign).

The closing date for the next round of Learning Promotion Grants is fast approaching, so if you have an idea for an event or a free taster course get your application in now!

You can apply for a grant of up to £1,000 to help:

·         Promote participation in learning.

·         Increase access to information, advice and guidance.

·         Facilitate the organisation of bite-size taster sessions

As a condition of the grant, all successful applicants must attend at least one of their county's Learning Festival Planning Group meetings (details will be supplied). Failure to do so may result in loss of the grant. Attendance at these meetings will facilitate even better support for you event.

If your organisation is already part of a Learning Festival Planning group you may still apply but, as direct funding to these groups is being increased this year, your application will be labeled as a lower priority than one from an organisation new to NIACE Dysgu Cymru's campaigns.

All applications are considered by our independent selection panel.

Apply for a grant here

and download the simple application form.

This is a Test Post

This is a test post. I am having a go with Mail Chimp. Looks okay so far. But for everything is set to eastern time (USA) thus 6 am today is 10 am GMT. But you get 3000 mailouts with a subsciber list of 500. Beyond that it costs ya. Should you check it out? I'll let you know http://www.mailchimp.com/

Intelligent Giving

So which charity will you donate to? Mostly your decisions might be informed by personal circumstances. But here's a useful site that can help you quickly get the spec on charities-mostly well known and I haven't checked yet to see if you are there...

I guess the flip side is how do we as charities in Powys-or third sector organisations present what we do, the impact that we have and why you should support us.

This is increasingly of interest when we think about avoiding duplication and building-up joint working-as per a previous post.

Community Radio Stations-Funding

Here's some funding  for your community radio station. Actually, if there are no community stations in Powys let's set one up! See here http://tinyurl.com/yjd4eto


Community radio stations are not-for-profit stations with a social purpose, and work to involve the target community in running the service.  This Fund helps support the core costs of running a community radio station, eg:

• management;
• administration;
• financial management and reporting;
• fundraising to support the station (grants and commercial funding); community outreach; and
• volunteer organisation and support.

The Fund has up to £500,000 per annum to support applications and there is no limit to how much can be applied for.

Only community radio licensees are eligible to apply.
The second 2009 round for applications opened on 13 October and will close 10 November 2009.

Carnegie UK Trust -Rural Communities-What Future?

 Slightly off topic from 'funding' but surely of interest to you?

Creating Resilient Rural Communities

will take place in Tipperary
Institute, Thurles, Republic of Ireland, on Wednesday 28th and Thursday
29th October 2009.

http://tinyurl.com/yhhfv8n


 Ceiliúradh is open to anyone interested in exploring the challenge faced
by communities in the current economic environment and identifying
solutions that will work.


·         How can our communities plan for the future?

·         How can we benefit from local food?

·         What about building local economies?



These are just some of the topics that will be discussed over this two day
annual event.


This year's Ceiliúradh is a time when thinkers, doers and communities will
gather together to explore new ideas about how we want to live and if we
want to move towards a healthy and positive future.  Tipperary Institute
is delighted to welcome a diverse range of national and international
guests such as Marian Harkin MEP, Rob Hopkins (Transition Town Movement),
Chris Piennar from New Economics Foundation and many others.

The Ceiliúradh programme and booking form is attached along with the
detail of the programme. Registration includes a networking dinner
featuring food from local producers on Wednesday 28th. Concessions are
also available and an accommodation list is attached.

To register, please print out the brochure, fill in your details and mail
with payment to Ceiliúradh 2009, Tipperary Institute, Rural Development
Dept, Nenagh Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. The link to pay online using a
credit card is here: http://payments.tippinst.ie. Please include the
credit card payment receipt number on your booking form.

We are looking forward to meeting you at this event and do feel free to
pass this email on to your own contact list.


Catherine Corcoran & Bridget Kirwan

The Ceiliúradh Team

For further information:

By email: Una Johnston at <events@tippinst.ieevents@tippinst.ie>>
By phone: Edel O'Grady at 0504 28117

This Project is supported by the Carnegie UK Trust

Joint Working-New Opportunities to Generate Income

Gareth Coles' presentation at WCVA Third Sector Conference was also another useful one for me. Essentially the session looked at the obstacles and benefits for Thrird Sector Groups-I think I heard Gareth say voluntary and community groups, was that  a slip of the tongue or wishful thinking-to collaborate and possibly even merger.

At the close of the session we did touch on the nuance that appears to be emerging that only those organisations which do collaborate and work far more closely are deserving of financial support and effectively public approval-I guess the same thing. Some of this is to do with perceptions of charities (and Joe Saxton's speech also was useful-though I am dubious about his being billed as a 'driver of ideas', sheesh, not good...).

But Gareth picked up a good few examples such as Marie Cure whose expertise in providing palliative care for cancer patients was brought to use with recuperative British Heart Foundation patients.  How could they do this? By checking their governing document which allowed them to care for cancer patients and those experiencing other serious illnesses.

So, at least, check your governing document-are you doing in any case what it says? Could you in fact be doing something else?

I'll get around to putting the collaborative toolkit resources on Delicious-look for collaboration tag.

But the key message at the end was perhaps the expectation in the future will be why you are not collaborating (or merging) with other third sector groups?

This is an interesting proposition when you think of the sheer number of voluntary organisations active or based in Powys:

• the total number of voluntary organisations active in Powys is 3607 (the largest of any area in Wales)
• the total number of voluntary organisations based in Powys is 2127 (the 3rd largest in Wales after Carmarthenshire and Cardiff)

(see: http://tinyurl.com/yc75nck)



If you're not collaborating closely and you have a good reason then fine. But if you could? And the heading photo is of course from the 'Mad' Hatter's party...

Schmooze Better

WCVA Third Sector Funding Conference-7.10.09,Liberty Park Swansea

Expected this one to be yet another  bloated event but in fact it turned up some useful stuff.

Perhaps for me (surprisingly) the material in the morning about Tendering and Procurement was best. Dawn from Review My Tender helped us get into the mindset of procurement officers and whittled down to the most salient stuff-get the marketing right in the year up to the time you're going to be putting in a tender. Make sure you've built up a relationship with the lead commissioning officer responsible for your activity (you have double checked your'e speaking to the right person?).

Don't hassle them about you getting 'that' tender. But do invite them to say a celebration event or social event your charity is putting on-as a guest not a speaker.  By doing this sort of thing you can show them that you are an 'industry expert' in your field. 

A good analogy for this approach is the budding author trying to get their book published. You want to get out of the slush pile,right? So in the year before you are likely to be going for a tender do everything to promote yourself-send succinct and evidence based (not reams of info) leaflets-say twice a year-don't bombard them.

You want to do everything you can to make it so that when theyre wading through al the tenders, they recognise your logo,know you stand for a quality tender from a leading light in your niche industry and at they should then at least look with a good expectation (in their heart?) at your tender.

The most important thing then is to get your schmoozing right. And Dawn said you'd be doing well if you could get 2 sessions a year lasting 15 minutes with your lead procurement officer. Use that 15 mins to make your pitch.

Dawn's website is ReviewMy Tender