Latest updates
Capacitybuilders – Improving Support
Capacitybuilders recently conducted a second survey looking at the impact of the economic downturn on third sector infrastructure organisations. The report findings provide valuable information on the challenges faced by local third sector support providers as well as the resilience being shown during what continue to be difficult economic circumstances for the Third Sector.
Key findings include:
- High levels of demand for support services from frontline groups is continuing, with 79% of local support providers reporting an increase in demand over the last twelve months.
- 42% of support providers reported a reduction in their overall income during the same time period - a clear demonstration of the pressures on the sector during this uncertain economic climate.
- Support providers are increasingly thinking about partnership, collaboration and merger as a way of ensuring the needs of frontline groups and the communities they serve continue to be met.
A copy of the report is available at www.improvingsupport.org.uk.
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Modernisation Fund
Over 1000 frontline groups have now been offered £1,000 bursaries as part of £1m of support from the first phase of Government’s Modernisation Fund, delivered by Capacitybuilders and part of Office of the Third Sector’s Real Help for Communities programme to help the third sector respond to the recession.
Accessing support
The Modernisation Fund grants programme opened for application in June and has offered £1,000 bursaries to help frontline third sector organisations working in areas such as - social cohesion, debt advice and family and mental health support services - to access support to explore the benefits of collaboration and merger as a means of becoming more resilient in the face of the economic downturn.
Further funding available under Phase Two
This Autumn, successfulPhase Onebursary applicants will be able to apply for further funding of up to £10,000 to help take concrete steps needed to make collaboration or merger happen.
Building the strength the sector
Speaking about the funding, Angela Smith, Minister of State for the Third Sector, said: “It’s great news that so many charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises are benefiting from the Modernisation Fund just months after it opened. I want the whole third sector to emerge from the recession stronger which is why we’ve got the money out there quickly and are getting the job done.
The second phase of the fund, which will make more money available to help with the cost of organisational change, is to start soon. Right now many people are in real need of support and the public and third sectors must act decisively and in co-operation to do the best by them.”
Growing interest in collaboration and merger
Matt Leach, Capacitybuilders' Chief Executive said: “The huge demand for the programme highlights growing interest across the sector in increased collaboration and merger.
These bursaries, and the further funding we will be providing this autumn, will provide direct assistance to frontline groups working with communities most affected by the recession, helping them increase their impact and become more resilient.”