|
Is it just me, or is
everyone talking about how their recent lottery grant
was turned down? It certainly feels when we talk to
Midas clients as if it is becoming harder to get money
out of the various distributors, but according to the
press office at the Big Lottery, some of the programmes
– Reaching Communities and Community Buildings – are
hugely oversubscribed, whilst others are not. This
means that the chances of success vary enormously from
programme to programme.
Thirteen distributors administer and give away about
£1.2 billion each year. The largest of which is the Big
Lottery, which distributes half of that amount. Chaired
by Professor Sir Clive Booth – a senior educator who
oversaw the merger of the New Opportunities Fund and
Community Fund in 2004 – it strives to be accessible,
fair, strategic, innovative and distinctive from
Government funders. The Big Lottery runs a number of
themed programmes, with the overall aim of bringing
improvements to communities and the lives of people most
in need. Government - specifically the DCMS - sets the
policy and financial frameworks within which the Big
Lottery and the other 12 distributors operate.
Controversially, the Lottery will contribute over £2
billion to the 2012 Olympics, which will mean overall
there will be less money going to good causes probably
for the next five years. Arts organisations have been
particularly vocal about recent Arts Council cuts due to
funds being diverted to the new Olympic Lottery
Distributor.
So, where does a Lottery application fit in the
fundraising mix? It should certainly be considered at
the launch stage of charities and projects, as a key
component in a capital appeal, and when developing new
services. The numbers of beneficiaries need to be high
and you need to be able to articulate and measure
outcomes.
The decision to make a
major application to the Lottery should not be taken
lightly. Consult all staff who will have to work on it
– it will put particular pressure on finance, project
staff and management – and take a realistic view of your
chances of success as well as what other work will get
shelved if you decide to proceed. If you take 3 months
out of your fundraising year to work on it and it is
unsuccessful, what losses will you have to bear and what
opportunities will you have missed? The problem with
applying to the Lottery is that more often than not, so
much is riding on a bid’s success – a new building may
or may not be erected, a new project may or may not be
launched, salaries will be paid for future years or they
won’t. Staff morale can be hit quite hard if a major
bid is rejected and the fundraiser leading the bid will
feel the pressure.
Organisations just
starting out and those who are well established are best
placed to take the Lottery leap with their own staff or
volunteers. The impact of applying on either embryonic
charities or bigger, older charities is not so great as
it is on small to medium sized charities with 10 or more
staff, a changing portfolio of donors and no money to
invest in new types of fundraising. In this instance,
there may be a case for doing the planning in-house and
then bringing in an experienced consultant to
orchestrate and deliver the bid, leaving you time to get
on with other fundraising.
Whatever you decide to
do, remember this – the thinking and planning that
should be undertaken by any charity prior to submission
of a Lottery application will not be wasted time. It
will bring trustees and staff together to discuss plans,
resources and risk, it will provide a platform for
creative thought and it will motivate and inform staff
across the organisation. All of this is good for
fundraising regardless of whether or not you decide to
apply.
Back to top
Lottery
Funders
 |
Sport England has announced the re-launch of its
Sportsmatch initiative to encourage new or
additional sponsorship investment from
businesses, trusts and private individuals into
community based sports projects. Through the
scheme, Sportsmatch will continue to offer pound
for pound matched funding to investments made by
businesses, trusts and individuals into projects
that encourage sports participation at grass
roots level. |
The minimum award made by Sport England is £1,000 and
the maximum is £50,000. The funding available is
primarily for running costs although capital awards of
up to £10,000 can be made through the scheme. Applicants
can now apply online with telephone support available
from Sport England on 08458 508508. Applications to the
scheme can be made at any time.
http://www.sportsmatch.co.uk/index.html
 |
Reaching Communities has proven to be a very
popular and highly competitive programme.
Competition for funds is very high, and
difficult decisions have to be made, often
resulting in very good projects not being
funded. Any new applicant should note the high
levels of interest in this programme and
consider whether your project is not better
suited to another Big Lottery Fund programme.
Currently 24% of applications are successful. |
Additionally, you should check the programme
update section to view the latest news and
current success rates for applicants. They want
to fund projects that help those most in need
including those people or groups who are hard to
reach. They will give support to those projects
they think best meet the needs of their
communities. Currently there is no closing date
announced. You can download the pack and
guidance notes from
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_reaching_communities
BASIS - (Building and Sustaining Infrastructure
Services) Round 2
BASIS aims to ensure that voluntary and community
organisations throughout England have access to high
quality support that will help them be more effective.
In round 2 they expect to spend up to £3.4 million on 6
England-wide projects. Only voluntary and community
sector infrastructure organisations can apply to BASIS.
By voluntary and community sector they mean charitable
or not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises.
By infrastructure organisations they mean organisations
that provide information, advice, training and other
support that helps voluntary and community groups do
their work better, as well as help with networking or
partnerships and advocacy or campaigning. You can find
information on BASIS at
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/index/apply-uk/all_open_programmes-uk.htm
 |
Sport England has developed a new
strategy for community sport in England for the
period 2008-11. The strategy reflects a shift
in emphasis and role for National Governing
Bodies (NGBs). |
The recognised experts in their sport, NGBs will be
‘commissioned’ by Sport England to deliver against key
outcomes. The NGBs will have greater autonomy over the
investment of public funds within their sport – along
with greater responsibility for the delivery of the
outcomes. The full document and a summary can be
downloaded from
http://www.sportengland.org/index/news_and_media/news_pr/sport_england_strategy_2008-2011.htm
 |
The Big Lottery Fund is delivering myplace
on behalf of the Department for Children,
Schools and Families (DCSF). |
This is not Lottery funding. This scheme opened for
applications on 6 May 2008. Grants available are between
£1 million and £5 million. The total available is £190
million between 2008 and 2010. £160m will be available
in year one of which up to £50 million is available
through the fast track route. myplace aims to deliver
world class youth facilities driven by the active
participation of young people and their view and needs.
myplace will only fund projects that will deliver on
four specific outcomes and demonstrate evidence of the
real participation of young people, particularly
disadvantaged young people, in the development, design
and future of running of the project.
The fast track route will
enable early investment in projects that are already
well developed and therefore able to submit robust
business and capital plans with their application. The
standard route will provide applicants with an
in-principle investment decision prior to providing
capacity building support to help them develop their
detailed delivery plans.
Application and guidance materials for the first funding
round are now available. The deadline for fast track
applications is 29 July 2008 and the deadline for the
standard route is 30 September 2008.
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_myplace?regioncode=-uk&progStatus=open&country=
UK&status=theProg&chan=funding&title=myplace
Back to top
Vacancies
This newsletter provides a free service to Midas clients
to advertise staff and trustee vacancies. Please
contact
lesleyhynes@midasappeals.org.uk if you would like to
advertise a salary or recruit a trustee.
 |
Treasurer
sought for the Laura Centre.
The Laura Centre is a medium sized registered
charity covering the East Midlands and based in
the centre of Leicester. They offer support and
counselling to anyone who has lost a child and
to any child or young person (up to 25) who has
been bereaved. The Centre sees over 300 people
per year and has 14 staff. The Board of Trustees
currently has a vacancy for a Treasurer who will
take responsibility for an annual budget of
approx £400,000 and play an important role in
the strategic planning of the Charity. |
The Board meet 6-8 times a year and the
Treasurer would also be expected to work closely
initially with the Chief Executive Officer in reviewing
the financial procedures of the organisation and
establishing a budget for the next financial year.
For further information please contact Tina Williams on
0116 2544341 or
tina@thelauracentre.org
 |
PR and Marketing
expert sought to join the board of the
Campaign for National Parks.
A trustee is sought for the Campaign for
National Parks (CNP) with public relations and
marketing experience. |
CNP, the leading environmental charity concerned
with English and Welsh National Parks, needs an
outstanding individual for one of its key
trustee posts – a trustee who is passionate
about and committed to National Parks, with
experience and expertise in the communications,
public relations and/or marketing areas. CNP
campaigns to protect and promote National Parks
for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all.
With its strong policy, campaigning, research
and technical expertise, CNP is a potent
influencer of environmental issues in the
Parks. CNP’s trustees have convincing and
relevant experience of strategic planning and
development, and of leading an organisation at a
senior level. Experience within the voluntary
sector would be an advantage. The position is
unpaid but expenses will be reimbursed. The
board meets 3 times a year and trustees attend
the AGM. For further information contact Kate
Ashbrook on 01491 638 396 email
Ashbrookk@aol.com
|
 |
Community and
Events Fundraiser sought by Kith and
Kids. Salary range £23,103 to £27,011.
Tottenham-based disability charity, Kith and
Kids is seeking a new member of staff to join
its small, committed, team. |
They are looking for
an individual who can bring drive and enthusiasm
to fundraising initiatives, expand existing
events and develop new ones. To be considered,
you need to have a year’s experience in the
not-for-profit or commercial sector, a good
understanding of community and events
fundraising and be able to attract and motivate
supporters with your excellent communication and
interpersonal skills. Flexible working
arrangements will be considered.
Please contact
Marjolein on 020 8801 7432 or
marjolein@kithandkids.org.uk Closing date is
the 7th July 2008.
|
 |
Events and Community Fundraiser,
North London, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice,
Salary in the region of £25,000. Based from the
charity’s office in London Colney, but mainly
working out and about within the communities of
North London & South Hertfordshire, you will
need to have the determination to turn
opportunities and ideas into reality. With
proven experience of events and community
fundraising, you will be an effective
communicator with strong organisational skills,
have the ability to speak confidently in public,
be IT literate … etc!! |
If this sounds like the role for you, find out
more from our website at
http://www.noahsarkhospice.org.uk Still
interested? Please contact Diane Parry on 020
8449 8877 and request a job description and
details of how to apply. Informal enquiries also
welcome. Closing date is Monday 21st
July 2008 and first interviews will be held on
24th July.
|
 |
Major Gifts Officer sought by YMCA
England c. £25,000 per annum.
London-based YMCA England is looking for a Major
Gifts Officer with good communication and event
management skills to work in a small, successful
team with an established and growing portfolio
of major donors. |
YMCAs are well known for professional and
relevant services that make a real difference to
the lives of young people and their communities.
YMCA England represents over 140 YMCAs, supports
over 1 million young people each year and has a
turnover in excess of £150 million. Please
contact Christina Comber at
christina.comber@england.ymca.org.uk or call
020 7061 3328. Closing date is the 11th July
2008. |
|
