Funding

News and Events

Latest edition of Focus on Funding: Focus on Funding Update May_10_22

Focus on Funding Forum: Gift Aid with Embrace Finance – Friday 27 May, 10.30 to 12.30

Find out all you need to know about Gift Aid and the GASDS to make the most out of gifts and donations for your organisation.

Gift Aid and the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) should be an easy win for many small charities, but the rules and admin surrounding it can feel a bit daunting.

In this 2 hour session we are going to start with a whistle stop tour on the basics of the administration and how the system works.  And then move on to looking at what donations are eligible for Gift Aid and GASDS, and what to be mindful of.

This session includes plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

The session is led by Rachel Cooper from Welbeck, an experienced charity finance professional with over 20 years experience in the sector.

This is an introductory level session suitable for employed staff or trustees who are managing the finances of small charities or dealing with Gift Aid for the first time, or who would just like a refresher.

Book your FREE place here

 

Cumbria CVS Fundraising Champion Event – Thursday 14 July 2022, 12 to 1.30

Cumbria CVS is recruiting and training a team of Fundraising Champions and then linking them to not-for-profit organisations in communities around the County.

Does your organisation need a fundraising volunteer? Are you interested in becoming a Fundraising Champion?

Fundraising Champions is a new Cumbria CVS initiative and a pilot, that aims to increase the fundraising expertise of volunteers and staff and help create a more stable third sector in Cumbria.

We are recruiting a Countywide team of fundraising volunteers to place with charitable and community groups and enlisting eight third sector organisations to join the initiative for the first cohort of Fundraising Champions.

Fundraising Champions receive three sessions of fundraising training, alongside a member of staff from their matched organisation.  They also receive ongoing fundraising development, training and network events.

Fundraising Champions commit to volunteering for six months and organisations provide a member of staff with an interest or responsibility for fundraising to attend the fundraising training alongside their matched volunteer.

Third sector organisations are invited to join this initiative – all you need to do is complete a registration form and come along to the first Fundraising Champion Event to provide a 10 minute presentation about your cause and the type of fundraising you need help with to a group of volunteers.  After the event volunteers will be matched with a charity and cause they would like to support.

If you already have a volunteer who is interested in fundraising and you would like to join the Fundraising Champions initiative – then please get in touch to register.

To find out more please contact: Victoria Peake | victoria.peake@cumbriacvs.org.uk | 07436 163 836

Download the Fundraising Volunteer Role Description here

Register for a place here

 

Funding Advice and Support : How We Can Help You

Funding Officer Support
Cumbria CVS currently has dedicated funding officers to help your organisation or group. We can:

  • Help you to identify sources of funding in order for you to adapt and develop services or help your organisation to survive the current funding crisis
  • Provide advice to you on what makes a strong (and therefore more likely to be successful) funding application
  • Assist you by reading over and commenting on your application prior to submission to give your application maximum chance of success
  • Help you by asking questions on your behalf to funders prior to submission where possible
  • Help you to develop, write and submit funding applications where required if you do not have the capacity to do

Help connect you with other voluntary, statutory or private sector organisations who may be able to be partners in your application or service delivery

Case studies:

If you would like our help, advice and support in relation to funding for your voluntary or community group or social enterprise, please contact us by emailing: CVSfunding@cumbriacvs.org.uk or call 01768 800350.

Meet the Funders Events
We run Funding Fairs around the county, so it’s easy to find one near you. You will meet local and national funders face to face and pick up top tips for raising money.  Due to covid 19 these have currently been postponed.

Funding Training
We offer a regular programme of funding training, including Writing Successful Funding Applications. Due to covid 19 these have been postponed but please contact us to register an interest in future training.

Online Resources

We have a range of resources available to support your organisation:

Focus on Funding
Focus on Funding is a (now) fortnightly focus on funding to support local organisations and keep you abreast of current and new funding opportunities. Please find latest editions here (archived copies can be found at the bottom of the page too):

Sources of Charity Funding: Covid-19
Details and links to emergency funding for charities – UK wide, UK country, regional, global, Government financial support, specialist funding and platforms. Sources of Charity Funding Covid-19

Funding Application Checklist
When you apply for funding you need to convince your potential funders that you have a project worth funding. This checklist gives you advice to help enhance your application. Funding Application Checklist

Funding Applications letters
Sometimes Charitable Trusts and Foundations will not have an application form but will ask you to apply in writing. This can seem daunting but, unless stated otherwise, your letter need not be more than 2-3 sides of A4 long. This guide covers the main points that the funder will need to know. Funding Applications letters

Funding Tips
If you’re applying for funding here are a few tips to consider when putting together your application. Funding Tips

Are you Fit to be Funded?
Before you even think of applying for funding, make sure that your organisation is ready to receive it. Funders want to know that you are capable of managing their money, that your organisation is fit and healthy, and that you have all the necessary policies and procedures in place. Are you fit to be funded?

Funding Guide
We have also developed a local Funding Guide which can be accessed here

Thank You
Thank you to the many organisations who completed the Health and Care Project’s End of Year Review Survey.  It has been extremely heartening to hear how the work of the project has helped Cumbrian third sector organisations raise essential funds and make connections with each other. Last year the project helped not-for-profit organisations secure a total value of £447,000.

We look forward to working with you in 2021 and continuing to help you secure more funding, increase your awareness of funding opportunities, improve your fundraising knowledge and skills, work collaboratively and help your organisation to survive and thrive – whatever challenges this year brings!

Contact Us

If you would like our help, advice and support in relation to funding for your voluntary or community group or social enterprise, please contact us by emailing: CVSfunding@cumbriacvs.org.uk or call 01768 800350.