Capacitybuilders - Improving support for a stronger third sector

29/10/2007

Capacitybuilders today announced the details of its Improving Reach investment programme - a new £18million, three year grant scheme to run from 1st April 2008.

The programme is a key element of continuing ChangeUp investment, supported by the Office of the Third Sector at the Cabinet Office.

Reaching out to excluded communities

Improving Reach focuses on increasing access to high quality support services that are appropriate to the needs of frontline organisations working in and with excluded communities.

Increasing sustainability and capacity

The programme also aims to increase capacity and sustainability for smaller third sector providers specialising in delivering support services to frontline organisations working with excluded communities.

Minister for the Third Sector, shows his support

Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, said:

“This investment will build on the success of the pilot Improving Reach Programme launched in 2006.

Impact of the programme to date

Having recently met with a grant recipient I’m aware of the impact that the programme is having on community capacity building.

The Improving Reach Programme will play an important role in strengthening sector support services available to frontline organisations dedicated to working in and with disadvantaged and marginalised communities.”

Strengthening the frontline

Simon Hebditch, Capacitybuilders' Chief Executive went onto comment;

“Capacitybuilders believes that improved support services play an important role in assisting and strengthening third sector frontline organisations, so that they can be more effective in their work to create a better quality of life for individuals and communities.”

Identifying gaps in existing services

Capacitybuilders is prioritising funds to where there is significant evidence of gaps in existing services.

Prioritising funds

The priorities reflect those of the pilot Improving Reach programme during 2006/08, and include organisations developed by and working with:

• Black and minority ethnic communities
• Refugee and migrant communities
• Faith communities
• Isolated rural communities

A case for other priorities

Capacitybuilders also recognise that there may be organisations developed by, or working with excluded communities in other parts of the third sector, which are not well served by sector support services.

As such, we invite applications from organisations which want to improve and develop support services for excluded communities outside of our four stated priorities.

How to apply

Organisations interested in applying for the funding will need to complete an eligibility check and download the funding guidelines.

Briefing events

A series of briefing events will be held across England to provide the opportunity for organisations interested in applying for the funding to find out more.

Please note: these events are for organisations that have successfully completed the on-line eligibility check and are eligible to apply for funding.

Reserve your place now

Specific details of these events are yet to be confirmed, but we encourage you to register your interest to attend an event by emailing us today.

Competition for funds

Competition for funds is likely be high and we will only have funds for up to 100 individual grants of a maximum of £150,000 a year for three years, to individual organisations across England.

Closing date

All applications for Improving Reach must be received by 5.00pm on Monday 28th January 2008. Applications will only be accepted via on an on-line application form.

Further details

To find out more about Improving Reach, please visit the funding pages.