All Capacity Building

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On the Spot - New Training Opportunity from MACC

There is a move by some commissioners to purchase health and welfare services through “spot” purchasing rather than “block contracts”, using “investment frameworks” and “shopping websites for personal care”. Payments are made for each client or group of clients worked with.

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Commissioning

People's Postcode Trust Dream Fund 2014

Funding is available for organisations in Scotland, England and Wales to deliver the project they have always dreamed of, but never had the opportunity to bring to life.

Organisations are encouraged to collaborate to provide a more efficient service. All applications must, therefore, come from at least two organisations that have joined forces. One of these organisations must be a registered charity, who will be considered the lead organisation for the project. The other organisations can be another charity, a voluntary group, a community interest company or a social enterprise

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Community Cashback Starter grants are now available

Starter grants of up to £3000 are available for tenant groups who are interested in 'Community Cashback' agreements with their landlords.

A Community Cashback agreement is a voluntary deal for tenants and residents to take control of small-scale local services such as cleaning, gardening etc. Any cost savings are kept by the resident group to use for community benefit.

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Web-based Gift Aid tool developed for smaller charities

Gift Aid specialists Kvisio have launched GiftAid Online, a web-based tool for small charities (those with under 1,000 supporters), who want to make Gift Aid claims online through the HMRC Gateway.

The tool has been developed following the changes in HMRC's rules for online tax claims.

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Youth and Play Fund Evaluation

Voluntary Youth Manchester, Macc and Manchester City Council are jointly conducting an evaluation of the recent Youth and Play Fund Commissioning process.

One part of the data collection for the evaluation is an on-line survey and we would very much welcome your participation. To complete the survey, please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/youth_and_play_commissioning_evaluation, by Sunday 18 August.

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Together Works: Social Investment Readiness Programme for Manchester Social Enterprises

Together Works is the social enterprise network for Greater Manchester and they are supporting Manchester-based organisations to create or improve their business plans to enable them to secure income by trading for profit.

The Social Enterprise sector is the fastest growing sector in the UK and can help Greater Manchester’s economy grow and create sustainable jobs. Many organisations and people have great ideas or are already successfully trading on a small scale but don’t feel ready or able to scale up. Together Works can help.

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Spirit of Manchester

I've mentioned previously that there's a danger that this blog becomes a series of rants about things I'm angry about. Well not today, at least!

Our State of the Voluntary Sector report shows there are over 3000 voluntary and community groups in Manchester. I don't know them all but I do know a lot of them and one of the great pleasures of my job is that I get to see some of the amazing things happening in groups across Manchester and meet some fantastic people.

Google for Nonprofits programme is extended to charities in England and Wales

The Google for Nonprofits programme, which offers charities free and discounted access to online collaboration tools, advice, and free Google advertising, has now been extended to charities registered in England and Wales. Previously it was available only to eligible nonprofits in the USA since it was established in 2011.

Benefits
Charities approved for the Google for Nonprofits programme in the UK will receive at no charge access to:

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Free trees for school, community and youth groups

The Woodland Trust have 4000 free tree packs to give away to school, community and youth groups this autumn.

Bring your community together to do something good for your neighbourhood by applying for the chance to receive a free tree pack to plant in November 2013.

Each pack is worth £30, £105 or £420. All you need to do is find a suitable site and supply the volunteer planters and tree protection.

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Children and Families

Environment