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Grants are good!

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It may seem obvious, but it’s important to remind ourselves that this vital resource has been disappearing rapidly, being replaced by more restrictive and inflexible contracts. Grants from the public sector now make up only 5.5% of charity sector income, declining from over 60% since 2004. At that rate, public sector grants could disappear entirely by 2020.

In an effort to reverse the trend, NAVCA – the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action – has launched the Grants for Good campaign. Essentially, grants are especially effective when supporting smaller charities and community groups. NAVCA argues that grants are good for:

  • Adapting to changing priorities and user needs
  • Keeping the benefits of investment local
  • Enabling small organisations to mobilise community resources
  • Empowering people locally
  • Sustaining services and capacity
  • Saving costly commissioning bureaucracy and
  • Encouraging the exploration of new solutions without fear of losing income

Click here to find out more and join the campaign.

Many of our medium-sized VCSE organisations (£100k to £1 million turnover) are often highly grant-dependent, and are facing challenges in an increasingly competitive funding environment. Many have the further risk factor of being dependent on just a single grant. Overcoming this risk can be very challenging with limited resources and often the most viable options may be found through collaboration and partnership initiatives. However, such organisations are key as they provide many of the preventative and wrap-around services so critical in improving outcomes for people and communities.

Applying for grants can be complex. At Community Action Norfolk we offer face-to-face advice, support and guidance through the most appropriate funding journey for your organisation or group. Call 01362 698216 or e-mail office@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk to talk to one of our Development Officers.