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Capacitybuilders' funding

Third sector Action Plan

In February 2009 the Cabinet Office announced Real Help for Communities: Volunteers, Charities and Social Enterprises, an Action Plan including a series of new funding programmes targeted at managing the impact of the recession on the third sector.

Capacitybuilders' Modernisation Fund

Funded by the Office for the Third Sector, the £16.5 million Modernisation Fund is helping third sector organisations, including voluntary and community groups, social enterprises, charities, cooperatives and mutuals, be more resilient to the impact of the economic downturn.

The Modernisation Fund focused on helping organisations that provide services to those worst hit by the recession and funding was targeted at helping these organisations overcome barriers to collaboration and merger, or take other steps to adapt to the recession.

One of the key principles of the action plan has been to help achieve economic growth, equality and social mobility.

Funding

The funding available comprised a mix of grant and loan funding delivered by Capacitybuilders and The Social Investment Business (formerly Futurebuilders).


Capacitybuilders

Capacitybuilders delivered two phases of support.

Phase One - bursaries
From June 2009, organisations with a turnover of between £150,000 and £750,000 were able to apply for Phase One bursaries of £1,000 to pay for at least two days of initial advice on how they can become more resilient and work more closely with others to increase their impact.
Over 800 busary awards have been offered to date.

Phase Two - grants
Futher grants of up to £10,000 have now been awarded to 521 organisations who, having been through Phase One of the programme, are working to develop their collaboration and merger plans further. 

The Social Investment Business

Support from the Social Investment Business (formely Futurebuilders), is offering third sector organisations interest free loans of between £30,000 - £500,000 to help them plan for the difficult times ahead, identify issues and opportunities and to take action to help secure their future.

To find out more about the loans element of the Real Help for Communities: Modernisation Fund, please visit The Social Investment Business website.

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