The Charities Aid Foundation Grant Progarmme

Building the capacity of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) is a ‘hot’ topic. A major driver is the government agenda to engage the VCS in the delivery of public services, and the subsequent development of a number of policies aimed at improving the capacity of the sector to do this. On the ground many small and medium sized organisations are facing a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive environment where funding is often harder to secure.  As a result there is increased pressure to improve their capacity in order to survive and prosper. Yet our understanding of what makes for effective capacity building is poorly developed.

This report aims to help fill that gap. It presents the results of research on the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Grant Programme. The programme aims to develop the capacity of small to medium size charitable organisations through the provision of consultancy and financial support. The report analyses both the strengths and challenges of CAF’s approach to capacity building and draws out wider lessons for other grantmakers, funders and infra-structure bodies that engage in similar forms of capacity building.

http://www7.open.ac.uk/oubs/research/pdf/CAF_Report_08.pdf

This Government action plan outlines how £42.5 million will support the third sector in the difficult economic climate.

Meeting Demand for Services and Tackling Unemployment

• Up to £10 million investment in a volunteer brokerage scheme for unemployed people. This will create over 40,000 opportunities for people to learn new skills and give back to communities through volunteering. – From April 2009
• A £15.5 million Community Resilience Fund will provide grant funding to small and medium providers in communities most at risk of increased deprivation due to the recession. This is in addition to the £130 million already committed to the Grassroots Grants programme meaning more small grants to more community groups – Available from April 2009

Strengthening the Sector now and in the future

• A £16.5 million modernisation fund to support viable third sector organisations to access specialist services in order to restructure and become more resilient and efficient in the recession. Funding for organisations available from summer 2009
• £0.5 million investment in the School for Social Entrepreneurs to expand its action-learning programme to support social entrepreneurs.

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/121758/real%20help%20for%20communities.pdf