Capacitybuilders has launched a £5 million Capital Grants Programme to develop third sector local resource centres. The programme will run until March 2011 and is the last main funding programme to be announcement by Capacitybuilders under the Office of the Third Sector’s 2008-11 investment in ChangeUp.
By 2011 Capacitybuilders wants to increase the access that third sector organisations have to high quality, relevant and affordable shared facilities and services offered by local resource centres across England.
What is a resource centre?
We are defining third sector local resource centres as “a building or area within a building, which is used as a base for providing development and support services to frontline third sector organisations within a local area.”
Specifically, such centres will:
- offer accommodation or shared services and facilities to frontline organisations
- offer services accessible to all frontline third sector organisations
- Shared premises and facilities
We will support the creation and development of shared premises and facilities for third sector organisations in England.
Increased collaboration
We will support initiatives that encourage collaboration and shared ‘back room’ functions, and aim to help third sector organisations which own or run resource centres make the best use of these assets in supporting frontline organisations.
How will this happen?
In many cases, this will mean supporting the development of buildings with multiple third sector tenants. In others, it will mean supporting buildings which offer multiple support services for the development of third sector organisations with a focus on the shared use of facilities.
Sustainable support for frontline organisations
Our capital investment should result in more efficient, effective and sustainable support services for frontline organisations.
Outcomes
We want new and existing local third sector resource centres to increase third sector access to shared facilities and services.
Scaled investment
We are awarding a phased, scaled investment in three tranches:
Phase one
The first phase of the programme provides an excellent opportunity for established centres to secure an injection of funds, enabling them to make better use of existing resources.
Application deadline
This phase is open for application until the 31 January 2009, with up to £1m on offer for investment up to March 2009.
Grant awards
Grants of up to £30,000 will be awarded to functioning resource centres across England to support smaller-scale improvements, such as improvements to the availability, accessibility or quality of accommodation – or shared facilities such as additional meeting rooms, office or storage space, better ICT, or access to resources such as a common library.
Assessment
Applications will be assessed and forwarded for decision by Capacitybuilders’ Funding Committee on a monthly basis; so early applications are more likely to succeed. An application form and a programme prospectus are available to download at the bottom of the page.
Phase two
Expressions of interest
Expressions of interest for the second phase of the programme, with around £2.5m of funds available to support significant refurbishment and development of premises, are welcome from existing or developing resource centres up to the 31 January 2009. An ‘expression of interest’ application form is available to download from the website.
Business planning
After this initial deadline, up to 50 applicants will then be invited to submit more detailed business plans for further assessment by Capacitybuilders’ Funding Committee in July 2009.
Grant awards
Grants are expected to be between £50,000-£200,000 and final awards are likely to be made in August 2009.
Phase three
The final phase of the programme will invest in around five ‘flagship’ projects that will develop or significantly expand local third sector resource centres.
Funding available
Around £1.5m is available under this phase with capital grants between £200,000 and £500,000 including the opportunity to apply for some revenue funds to support project development and delivery.
Expressions of interest
The deadline for expressions of interest under this phase is 31 March 2009.
For further information and access to relevant documents and forms visit: http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/content/WhoWeFund/Funding200811/Capitalprogramme1.aspx
