Corporate Grants

 Introduction

Most voluntary organisations in Hounslow will be aware that a new Corporate Funding Strategy is due to be implemented from 1 April 2011.

The Corporate Funding Strategy 2011-2015 sets out the Council’s priorities and future plans for supporting the funding of the local voluntary sector through a variety of funding schemes, especially support for strategic voluntary groups that meet Council priorities, fulfil a legislative requirement or build capacity.

The Council intends to use the 2011-2015 strategy as an opportunity to move towards a strategic commissioning approach, as we believe this is the best way forward in which services can be provided.

The commissioning framework and themes are as follows;

Strategic VCS commissioning funding will be awarded for up to four years to community/voluntary organisations in receipt of funding over £15,000 per annum (total contract value £60,000) that have successfully tendered and have a proven track record of providing the required service. A Hounslow Community Grants scheme has been developed for projects falling under the £15,000 benchmark.

The areas of voluntary activity to be commissioned are:

 
- Accredited Advice Services
- Capacity Building of the Voluntary Sector
- Equality and Diversity – Building Social Capital
- Supporting Vulnerable Adults
- Supporting Young People
- Volunteering
- Art and Building Civic Pride 

The timeline associated with these proposals is as follows;
 

March 2010: Corporate Revenue Grant  funded groups were reminded of the implementation of 2011-2015 strategy

July – September 2010: Commenced consultation with voluntary sector groups.

August 2010:  Open meeting with voluntary sector groups on  proposed service areas to be commissioned

October 2010:
- Report to Executive for authorisation to implement 2011-2015 Funding Strategy.
- PQQ training session
- Tendering process commences
- Community Chest 2011/12 application process commences.

November 2010:
Tenders assessed by Commissioning Panel
Community Chest Grants approved by Community Investment Advisory Panel

December 2010: Voluntary sector groups notified of proposed funding levels from 1 April 2011.

March 2011:
- Budget confirmed for 2011/12
- Letters confirming contracts and grants to voluntary groups commencing April 2011.

Previous input

So far, you have fed into the development of the strategy in the following ways;

Two consultation events; in which the potential implications of a commissioning framework and potential commissioning themes were evaluated

Two online questionnaires supporting the above events

Written notifications of proposals to Corporate Revenue Grant holders

1:1 support and engagement with organisations currently funded via the corporate grants scheme

1:1 engagement during equalities impact analysis