[WiLT] New Improving Reach Programme 2008-11 : now open for application

[WiL Admin]

New Improving Reach Programme 2008-11 : now open for application

Capacitybuilders has announced the details of its Improving Reach
investment programme - a new £18million, three year grant scheme to
improve third sector support services to run from 1st April 2008.

The programme is a key element of continuing ChangeUp investment,
supported by the Office of the Third Sector at the Cabinet Office.

Improving Reach focuses on increasing access to high quality support
services that are appropriate to the needs of frontline organisations
working in and with excluded communities.

The programme also aims to increase capacity and sustainability for
smaller third sector providers specialising in delivering support
services to frontline organisations working with excluded communities.

  "This investment will build on the success of the pilot Improving
Reach Programme launched in 2006. Having recently met with a grant
recipient I'm aware of the impact that the programme is having on
community capacity building. The Improving Reach Programme will play
an important role in strengthening sector support services available
to frontline organisations dedicated to working in and with
disadvantaged and marginalised communities." Phil Hope, Minister for
the Third Sector

  "Capacitybuilders believes that improved support services play an
important role in assisting and strengthening third sector frontline
organisations, so that they can be more effective in their work to
create a better quality of life for individuals and communities."
Simon Hebditch, Capacitybuilders' Chief Executive

Capacitybuilders is prioritising funds to where there is significant
evidence of gaps in existing services.

The priorities reflect those of the pilot Improving Reach programme
during 2006/08, and include organisations developed by and working
with:
* Black and minority ethnic communities
* Refugee and migrant communities
* Faith communities
* Isolated rural communities

Capacitybuilders also recognise that there may be organisations
developed by, or working with excluded communities in other parts of
the third sector, which are not well served by sector support
services.

As such, we invite applications from organisations which want to
improve and develop support services for excluded communities outside
of our four stated priorities.

Organisations interested in applying for the funding will need to
complete an eligibility check and download the funding guidelines.

A series of briefing events will be held across England to provide the
opportunity for organisations interested in applying for the funding
to find out more.

Specific details of these events are yet to be confirmed, but we
encourage you to register your interest to attend an event by emailing
us today -
info at capacitybuilders.org.uk?subject=Improving%20Reach%20Breifing%20Ev
ents&body=I%20am%20interested%20in%20attending%20a%20briefing%20event%
20in%20%28please%20delete%20as%20appropriate%29%3A%0D%0A%0D%0AEast%20o
f%20England%0D%0AEast%20Midlands%0D%0ALondon%0D%0ANorth%20East%0D%0ANo
rth%20West%0D%0ASouth%20East%0D%0ASouth%20West%0D%0AWest%20Midlands%0D
%0AYorkshire%20and%20Humber.

Competition for funds is likely be high and we will only have funds
for up to 100 individual grants of a maximum of £150,000 a year for
three years, to individual organisations across England.

All applications for Improving Reach must be received by 5.00pm on
Monday 28th January 2008. Applications will only be accepted via on an
on-line application form.

To find out more about Improving Reach, please visit the funding pages
at
http://capacitybuilders.org.uk/content/WhoWeFund/NewImprovingReachProgramme200811nowopenforapplication.aspx

Posted on WiLT blog at
http://www.freecharity.org.uk/~womeninlondon/?p=444