The Give More Get More Fund is a partnership between Nesta and the Office for Civil Society which will support organisations to develop and test intensive volunteering placements for people during, or as they approach, retirement, that create clear impact alongside public services. For example, you might be a hospital that can offer placements for three months for people to radically improve patients’ well-being and outcomes, or a charity who can create intensive placements for people in schools to improve literacy and attainment. Or you might have a different idea altogether. 
The fund will provide financial and non-financial support to around five organisations or partnerships, based in England. Successful applicants will receive financial support of up to £100,000 and significant non-financial support to develop and prototype their ideas, before running the placements.
Nesta and the Office for Civil Society which will work with organisations from February to May 2017 to develop and prototype their intensive volunteering ideas. From June 2017 to March 2018 you will then pilot your intensive volunteering opportunities with at least 100 people carrying out at least 150 hours of high impact volunteering each (e.g. full time over a two-three month period, or three days a week over a four month period).
Nesta and the Office for Civil Society which will also work with organisations to design ways to evaluate the success of the approaches, and the impact of the placements for volunteers and beneficiaries.
Nesta and the Office for Civil Society which are looking for organisations that:
• are passionate about the opportunity that ‘intensive volunteering placements’ can bring to their work, and are interested in developing an innovative new approach
• can demonstrate a commitment to mobilising the time and talents of at least 100 people to carry out at least 150 hours high impact volunteering over an intense period (e.g. full time over a two to three month period, or three days a week over a four-month period)
• have a track record in mobilising the time and talents of volunteers (this doesn’t necessarily have to be older volunteers)
• can demonstrate that they have appropriate networks or channels to reach out to people approaching, or who are already, retired.
• have a clearly identified priority outcome(s) and a persuasive case of why mobilising the time and talents of people over 50 in intensive placements will make a difference to this outcome. (e.g improving primary school literacy, supporting older people to remain at home and independent etc.)
• have staff already in place to lead this work (rather than relying on new appointments) so you can hit the ground running
• be a public service, or can demonstrate a clear alignment to public service priorities
• have a commitment to being part of a fast-paced and creative innovation process, and are supported by a competent management team who are open to challenge and support
• have a commitment to measuring their performance and progressing against our Standards of Evidence
• are able to demonstrate that the benefits of their proposals is in England only
To apply complete an expression of interest form by Monday 24 October 2016, 12:00.
Eligible organisations who are interested in developing a full proposal will be required to attend a Give More Get More Fund Workshop at Nesta Offices on the 15 November 2016, travel costs for this will be covered.
Following the workshop eligible organisations will be invited to develop a full proposal, which must be submitted by midday on 12 December 2016. Shortlisted organisations will be invited to a pitch day held on the 6 January 2017 at the Nesta Offices in London.
For further information and to apply, visit: www.nesta.org.uk/project/give-more-get-more-fund-exploring-intensive-volunteering