The volunteering world is ever changing, improving and facing new challenges. We aim to follow some of the most interesting stories on this blog.

All | Jennifer

Friday Jun 26, 2009

Big Lottery Funding, trustee expenses and marathon madness

Big Lottery Fund rise

More training will be available to volunteers in community groups thanks to the Big Lottery Fund. (BLF)

Extra cash is being invested in the voluntary sector for this purpose. Currently between 60-70% of its funds go to charities, but this is set to rise to at least 80% - around £45m.  The decision follows the Big Thinking consultation in which stakeholders and public were asked how its budget for new funding programmes should be spent.

Getting a slice of the pie are Reaching Communities, Basis, and Awards For All – in line with BLF's new strategy to fund projects that reduce isolation, empower communities and help people through key transitions such as redundancy and bereavement.  The Fund has vowed to be "unashamedly assertive in taking risks to address unpopular or challenging issues that have been neglected by other funders."  Losing out will be public sector bodies and groups whose aims don't chime with the aims of the new strategy.

BLF's re-prioritisation has provoked a strong reaction from voluntary sector leaders, who claim the figure should be 100%, not the 80% on the table.

Arguing for 100% in these straitened times, Kevin Curley of umbrella group Navca, said: "The local third sector is being challenged by a reduction in local authority grants and a difficult environment in which to fundraise..."

NVCO Chief Executive Stuart Etherington said he welcomed the extra funding but noted that the NCVO would continue to campaign for all the money to go directly to the voluntary and community sectors.

Critically, the BLF 'pot' has dwindled since money was taken from it to help fund the 2012 Olympics, so voluntary and community groups will, in reality, receive 80% of a smaller pot.  This prompted Ben Wittenberg of the Directory of Social Change, to say: "I would have liked to see 100 per cent, but this is better than no change at all.  The BLF is looking to consolidate itself as a good funder.  It's already had its pocket picked by the Government, and the Tories say they'd scrap it, so this is a reflection of the pressure the fund is under."

But, defenders say BLF got it right.  Ralph Michell of chief executives' body Acevo, said: "The sector is going through a difficult time and it needs all the help it can get.  We welcome the increase and now is not the time to be pernickety about the percentage."

More info at biglotteryfund.org.uk

Trustees and senior managers to be encouraged to publish expenses

It's not just politicians who need to be transparent about their expenses.

A former charity commissioner will lead a working party that will draw up guidance for charities on how they should report senior staff expenses.

Lindsay Driscoll will chair an independent group of experts, set up by the NCVO and the Charity Finance Directors' Group to collect views from the sector on how the expenses of trustees and senior staff should be made public.  It aims to consult in the next couple of months and offer guidance by October.

"Public trust and confidence are of paramount importance in the charity sector, said Keith Hickey, Chief Executive of the CFDG.

The move was prompted by calls to the NCVO by members asking for advice.

First Brighton Marathon will champion small charities

Volunteering within a small charity? The Brighton Marathon could be a great way to bring in extra funds for them.

There is talk that next year's new Brighton Marathon will be a golden goose for smaller charities, who'll be allowed to buy up to 25 places for supporters.  Scheduled for 18 April – one week before its illustrious twin, the London Marathon – the smaller Brighton event has targeted smaller charities by limiting the number of places available for charities to buy, in a bid to prevent larger charities from buying hundreds.

Charities can choose from two packages of support and runner hospitality, priced £75 or £95.  Individual places cost £45.

More info at brightonmarathon.co.uk

Posted by Jennifer ( 2:28 PM )
Link to this post Comments[0]