Other sources of funding advice and support

Excellent Evening of Funding Advice and Support  Two evening courses all about funding are being run in Devon. You can learn about all sorts of things including:

  • How to maximise your income with funding and through other means
  • How and where to find funding
  • How to write grant applications

The event is free, including a buffet tea! They are being held between 6pm and 9pm on:

  • Wednesday 17 March in Bideford
  • Wednesday 21 April in Newton Abbot

Places must be reserved in advance, including a £10 refundable deposit. For more information contact Gail Hickson on 01392 383443 or e-mail gail@devonrcc.org.uk

Both events are being run by the Devon Community Foundation, the Community Council of Devon and NCVO.

Advice in East Devon  If you are based in East Devon and are part of a voluntary organisation you may want to contact East Devon Voluntary Services Authority (EDVSA) for help with your project. For more information: www.edvsa.org.uk or phone 01404 549045

GrantsNet  This is a website that gives free information about grant schemes available to businesses and charities in the UK. You can search for a grant online, or subscribe to their e-mail alert bulletin. For more information: www.grantsnet.co.uk

Devon County Council: Grantnet  Devon County Council subscribes to Grantnet, a powerful searchable database which matches your needs with funding drawn from a wide range of sources, including the European Union, government, national lottery and grantmaking trusts. You can find out more details and fill out an online contact form about your project at: http://www.devon.gov.uk

Devon Funding News  Devon Funding news is issued monthly and offers practical assistance with raising money for projects in the UK.  Devon Funding News is free and available monthly by email. You may, however, need to register first and receive a user name and password.
You can register, read current and past copies of Devon Funding News via: http://www.fundingnews.co.uk/

Grants for development  Capacitybuilders have funding available to help voluntary and community organisations to develop themselves as organisations e.g. modernising or setting up networks. The voluntary and community organisations must have the aim of creating a better quality of life for people and communities. For more information: http://www.capacitybuilders.org.uk/content/WhoWeFund/Funding200811.aspx or phone 01212 375100

Expanding your work  Not for profit organisations can apply to the Gulbekian Foundation for research and development funding for new ideas that enable them to work with other organisations or experts outside their usual practice or to undertake active research into areas they would not normally have the time or money to explore. For more information: http://www.gulbenkian.org.uk/innovation-fund or phone 02070 121400

Free Advertising  Google Grants UK is offering free advertising to Charities that share Google’s philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts. As a result of this free advertising many charities experience an increase in the recruitment of volunteers and sponsorship. Applications can be made at any time. For more information: http://www.google.com/grants/

Charities Information Bureau  The Charities Information Bureau South and West provides community groups, organisations and individuals in the South West of England with information, advice, support and training on charitable funding and charity registration and regulation. For more information visit: www.cibsouthandwest.org.uk/ or phone 01380 729279

Training Courses  Cascade are running some extremely useful training courses for community and voluntary groups in 2010 taking place in the Taunton and Exeter areas. These include courses on Full Cost Recovery, Financial Management, applying for small grants and how to build and lead a team. For more information: www.cascadetrainingplus.co.uk or phone Linda on 01278 455830.

Are you a small organisation?  The National Council for Voluntary Organisations has launched a new web page specifically designed for smaller organisations, which contains information and advice on practical issues including funding and finance, employment, ICT, health and safety, legal issues and governance. For more information visit: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/smallorganisations

Free Legal Advice for Community Groups  Thanks to a national network of volunteer lawyers, free business law advice is available to community groups, small charities and social enterprises that do not have funds to pay for legal fees. For more information: www.lawworks.org.uk

Need help with Information Technology?  IT4Communities introduces charities, community groups and voluntary organisations needing help with IT related projects to volunteer IT professionals. For more information: www.it4communities.org.uk/it4c/open/charity/index.jsp

Professional Helpers for Free!  Some professional firms within Devon have offered to provide professional and strategic support, free of charge, to voluntary and community groups within Devon. This includes surveyors, architects, accountants, solicitors, PR and marketing specialists, property consultants, engineers and IT consultants. They will undertake one-off projects such as drawing up architectural plans or devising marketing strategies. For more information visit: www.bitc.org.uk/south_west/programmes/prohelp/devon_prohelp.html or phone Ann on 01752 510410

Funding Resource!  ladder4learning offers information about training courses in the South West, advice on choosing the right training course, information on different methods of learning, access to the site so you can upload your course information, access to message boards to meet other organisations, discuss training and meet potential funding partners and offers free of charge downloadable resources. As well as the web-based services, there will be a dedicated helpline on 01225 792505 Mon-Fri 10am-3pm. Email: ladder4learning@learningcurve.org.uk

Are you a volunteer fundraiser?  The Institute of Fundraising has launched how2fundraise.org, a free to use online resource for volunteer fundraisers. The site is intended to offer ideas and answers to inspire and support volunteer fundraisers, provide guides on running various fundraising activities, and as a result increase the funds raised for charities. For more information: www.how2fundraise.org

Community Matters  This is a national membership organisation supporting community associations, mainly community buildings. Any community group can get free advice, including advice on funding, from their telephone advice line on weekday mornings at 0845 8474253, and members get extra support services. For more information: www.communitymatters.org.uk

FURTHER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE
If you need further assistance or advice, please contact:  Jamie Buckley, Engagement and Funding Officer, East Devon District Council. Telephone number 01395 517569 email jbuckley@eastdevon.gov.uk