Capacitybuilders - Improving support for a stronger third sector

13/11/2008

Improving access to high quality facilities and services

Capacitybuilders’ latest announcement includes details of three phases of capital investment, aiming to improve access by frontline third sector organisations to high quality and affordable facilities and services offered by local resource centres across England.

The capital grants programme, which will run until March 2011, is the last main funding stream to be announced by Capacitybuilders under the Office of the Third Sector’s 2008-11 £88.5m investment in ChangeUp.

What the investment will fund

The programme will invest in the refurbishment and enhanced use of buildings being used as third sector local resource centres.

Ministerial support

Commenting on the programme, Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector said:

"I am delighted that Capacitybuilders have announced the new Capital Investment Programme. It will help to develop and modernise much needed facilities for local third sector organisations.

Organisations on the ground will be able to access local resource centres with improved facilities, such as better IT equipment and refurbished accommodation.

This will provide invaluable support to local organisations that may not otherwise have access to suitable facilities."

Scaled investment

The programme sees scaled investment in three phases between now and March 2011.

Phase one

The first phase of the programme provides an excellent opportunity for established centres to secure an injection of funds, enabling them to make better use of existing resources.

Application deadline

This phase is open for application until the 31 January 2009, with up to £1m on offer for investment up to March 2009.

Who can apply?

Grants of up to £30,000 will be awarded to functioning resource centres across England to support smaller-scale improvements, such as improvements to the availability, accessibility or quality of accommodation - or shared facilities such as additional meeting rooms, office or storage space, better ICT, or access to resources such as a common library.

Assessment

Applications will be assessed and forwarded for decision by Capacitybuilders’ Funding, Policy and Programmes Committee on a monthly basis; so early applications are encouraged.

An application form and further information is available to download from www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/capital

Phase two

In the second phase, around £2.5m of funds are available - to support significant refurbishment and development of premises.

Expressions of interest

Expressions of interests are welcome from existing or developing resource centres up to the 31 January 2009.

Business planning

After this initial deadline, up to 50 applicants will then be invited to submit more detailed business plans for further assessment by Capacitybuilders’ Funding, Policy and Programmes Committee in July 2009.

Grant awards

Grants are expected to be between £50,000-£200,000 and final awards are likely to be made in August 2009.

Phase three

The final phase of the programme will invest in around five ‘flagship’ projects that will develop or significantly expand local third sector resource centres.

Capital grants

Around £1.5m is available under this phase with capital grants between £200,000 and £500,000 including the opportunity to apply for limited revenue funds to support project development and delivery.

The deadline for expressions of interest under this phase is 31 March 2009.

Commenting on the investment programme, Julia Kaufmann, Chair of Capacitybuilders' Funding, Policy and Programmes Commitee said:

"this investment in capital grants will support initiatives which encourage collaboration and shared back room functions - helping third sector organisations which own, or run, resource centres make the best use of assets in supporting frontline organisations"

Demonstrating the benefit of resource centres

ChangeUp funding enabled Ealing Community Resource Centre to support collaborative working and shared back office space among its tenants.  It also helped them to lever in more money from other sources - including from the Big Lottery.

Today the resource centre is a prime example of the impact that shared resource centre facilities can have.

Impact of shared facilities and experience

Housing 14 diverse charities, the centre is modern, professional and well-equipped, boasting private interview, training and meeting rooms, hot-desking facilities and ICT infrastructure. In addition to these shared facilities, the centre enables the charities to achieve economies through joint purchasing, and share ideas, inspiration and learn from each other’s experiences.

Further information

Further information about the capital investment programme can be found at www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/capital.

Further information on the Ealing Community Resource Centre case study can be on the funding pages or visit the Ealing Community Resource Centre website.