Capacity Building

The Charity Commission is seeking 25 volunteer charities to take part in a new project examining strategy development, implementation and review.

The project has been launched by the Charity Commission in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Each charity will receive a free consultation by experienced accountants on its policies, procedures and practices relating to strategic planning, with the collective outcome of the review providing important feedback to the Charity Commission regarding sector practices in this area.

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) Campaigner Awards recognise the outstanding contribution that a new generation of campaigners are making towards achieving social, environmental and economic justice here in the UK and abroad.

Winners of an SMK Campaigner Award will receive a tailored package of support to help them campaign more effectively. They will also attend a special ceremony hosted by Channel 4 newscaster and SMK Patron Jon Snow.

Join in supporting Manchester Veg People's CrowdFunding Campaign
8 June-20 July
Manchester Veg People is a co-operative of local organic growers and restaurants working together to provide fresh, seasonal food of the highest possible quality. In their first year they sold fresh local produce with a value of £22,000 despite not having their own vehicle and premises. Imagine what they could do this year and in future years with your help.

The Directorate for Adults, Health and Wellbeing is now inviting applications for Mental Wellbeing Grant funding for the period 1st August 2013 to 31st March 2015.

The Mental Wellbeing Grant will be prioritised on services that improve people’s mental health and wellbeing. The objective is to move towards an approach that requires services to be pro-active in encouraging people to do more for themselves, to balance the promotion of better mental health and wellbeing, together with care and treatment when appropriate.

The Manchester Guardian Charitable Trust offers grants to organisations undertaking a variety of charitable activities in Greater Manchester.

In particular, funding is intended for projects that support the following:
• Young people
• Older people
• People with disabilities
• Education initiatives
• Arts initiatives
• Community group

Grants of Up to £2,000 are awarded to Voluntary and community groups working in Greater Manchester.

Applications can be made at any time.

Funding is available for groups based in areas of urban deprivation in Greater Manchester which are combating poverty and empowering people to help in their own community.

Voluntary and community groups working in the most deprived areas of Greater Manchester are eligible to apply.

Priority will be given to small scale organisations and/or projects.

The first round of the Centre for Social Action’s £14 million Innovation Fund has opened for applications from charities and social enterprises, as well as public sector bodies and commercial organisations.

The Fund, which is being managed by Nesta, is looking for innovative ventures and programmes that use social action to achieve impact in four areas:

Ageing well: Helping people to age well, particularly by supporting people over 50 years to have a purpose, a sense of well-being and to be connected to others;

The Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund is a registered charity and was established to promote, enhance, improve and protect both the natural and built environment in our local community. The Trustees award grants of a maximum of £3,000.

Applications are considered four times a year by a board of Trustees from Manchester Airport and the local authorities of Stockport, Trafford, Manchester, Tameside, Cheshire East and Cheshire West Council.

A comprehensive package of measures to help the voluntary sector and mutuals compete for contracts to cut reoffending has been announced by the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Justice.

This follows proactive engagement with a range of organisations from the voluntary sector, social enterprises and entrepreneurial staff in probation trusts looking to form new mutuals.

1. In 2012/13 there were 3,093 community and voluntary organisations, co-operatives and social enterprises in Manchester

2. In 2012/13 the total income of the sector was £477 million

3. Medium and large organisations receive 95% of the total sector income

4. 1,987 organisations are micro (with an annual income under £10 thousand)

5. There are 94,300 volunteers in the sector

6. Volunteers give 370,000 hours each week

7. The contribution of volunteers in the sector is valued at £332 million each year