South West Business Council’s Post

The Impact Alliance unites over 50 purpose-led organisations in the West of England with the goal of making loneliness a stranger. We are bringing together likeminded charitable trusts, funds, organisations and philanthropists to deliver a visionary charitable programme which makes a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of people in the West of England. The co-built programme will tackle loneliness and social isolation through an in-depth understanding of issues at the heart of the problem, providing strategic funding and supporting project delivery through established and new partners. We are radically re-imagining funding models and mentoring grassroots charities, activists and enterprises to create stronger communities. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eNFUPX-h #ImpactAlliance #SocialIsolation #Loneliness #SocialImpact #Funding #Community

This is really important strategically for our sector. #Charitable #Grantmakers by themselves won't be able to shoulder the demand entirely. Rectifying the dire state of #LocalGovernment finances but also improving #Corporate giving and #Philanthropy, getting it higher up the policy agenda has to be part of the solution in my opinion. Also getting the #DormantAssets actually deployed to communities via #CommunityWealthFund(s).

It's tough out there! Charities are under incredible strain after years of cuts and austerity that have caused them to be needed more than ever by their communities. It is a perfect storm. More need. More red tape. More legislation Higher prices Less funding from All sources as funders, individuals, businesses struggle with the same issues And governments make cuts which cause more problems Charities pick up the pieces of the mess they make The announcement of the closure of Zoes Place in Liverpool is another example of the challenges the sector faces. Hundreds of charities are closing and vital services lost. Many charity staff are burning out, becoming ill or giving up in desperation and exhaustion. It is not bad management. It is unprecedented times. There has never been a greater need for people to give and support their local charities. Give without expecting lots of the charity's time. Give without tieing up the money to projects which means they can't pay staff or bills. Offering time is great but doesn't pay the bills. Regular, unrestricted giving, even in small amounts is like gold dust. Together we can make a difference.

Fight for Sight have recently opened their Capacity Building Fund, which will support vision loss charities to become more sustainable. The Capacity Building grants will focus on two key areas: • Collaboration between organisations within the sight loss sector and between the sight loss sector and external organisations. • Small charities and grassroots organisations. Funds can be used for contributions to core costs, to merge organisations, strengthening of systems and processes, and much more. To find out more information, and to apply, please visit their website here: https://lnkd.in/dxaBq-i4. The deadline for applications is 7 January 2025. #FundingOpportunity #SightLoss #DisabilityFunding

📈Amid a serious decline in funding - from government, local authorities and individual donations - grants from charitable foundations are one of the few funding streams that has remained stable during a time of increased demand for charities. Emily Harle's analysis in Third Sector explores how this demand is shifting upstream and the impact it is having on grantmakers. https://lnkd.in/em7qTbv6 🔍𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: 1. 📊 Surge in applications: Association of Charitable Foundations members report staggering increases in application volumes – ranging from 30% to an overwhelming 100%. 2. ⚖️ Capacity constraints: grantmakers face the delicate balance of managing this surge, usually with a very small staff team, while maintaining fair, effective evaluation processes. 3. 🔄 Adaptive responses from funders: - Increasing funding allocations - Restructuring grant programmes to better align with charities' needs - Streamlining decision-making processes - Reducing administrative burden on applicants 4. ⏸️ Temporary Pauses: Some grantmakers have had to temporarily suspend new applications while implementing these essential changes. At Association of Charitable Foundations we emphasise the importance of collaboration between funders. When grantmakers consider pausing their programmes, we encourage dialogue with other funders to understand the ecosystem-wide impact of such decisions. #CharitableFunding #Philanthropy #NonprofitSector #GrantMaking #SocialImpact 

Building trust through our local presence and long-term partnerships—it's not just what we do; it's who we are. Our commitment goes beyond delivering top-tier managed print services and document solutions. We believe in the power of a strong, local presence and the value of cultivating long-term partnerships with businesses in our community. Supporting local is part of our DNA. From donating to local charities to sponsoring events that bring people together, we’re proud to give back and invest in the community that has supported us. When you partner with us, you’re not just choosing a service provider—you’re choosing a neighbor who’s as committed to your success as we are to our shared community. Let’s grow together. 💙 #CommunityFirst #LongTermPartnerships #LocalBusiness #DocumentImagingPartners #Kyocera #Cambridge #TriCities #Local

Building trust through our local presence and long-term partnerships—it's not just what we do; it's who we are. Our commitment goes beyond delivering top-tier managed print services and document solutions. We believe in the power of a strong, local presence and the value of cultivating long-term partnerships with businesses in our community. Supporting local is part of our DNA. From donating to local charities to sponsoring events that bring people together, we’re proud to give back and invest in the community that has supported us. When you partner with us, you’re not just choosing a service provider—you’re choosing a neighbor who’s as committed to your success as we are to our shared community. Let’s grow together. 💙 #CommunityFirst #LongTermPartnerships #LocalBusiness #DocumentImagingPartners #Kyocera #Cambridge #TriCities #Local

Grants & support for London’s charitable sector: Every month we share an email update with our funded organisations, listing funding opportunities and offers of free support. The bulletin features 14 open funding opportunities, including our own Social Investment offer, along with eight free training and support opportunities. We also take a look at our 10-year future funding policy, due to launch this spring. Check out January’s update here: https://lnkd.in/e3PNK2-W Our image shows members of the OK Foundation at the Lordship Hub Café, taking a break from preparing and serving food for service users and the local community. The OK Foundation is a charity funded by City Bridge Foundation. Image credit: Musa Bwanali #Funding #SocialInvestment

Have you heard of the Great Wealth Transfer? Estimates say that between now and 2050, £5.5 trillion of assets will pass from baby boomers to Gen X and Millennial children – and, potentially, to charities too. Join Kate Telfer and Matthew Lagden, ILM CEO, in this special webinar for #SmallCharityWeek. You’ll hear more about the 'The Legacy Decade' and why it’s so important to start investing in legacy income now. #LegacyGiving #CharityFundraising #GiftsInWills

Charitable giving is more than just a noble act; it's a vital component of a thriving, resilient community. When businesses invest in charitable initiatives, they foster social equity, support essential services, and enhance the overall quality of life. But beyond the altruistic benefits, charitable giving can significantly boost a company's reputation and operational success. Partnering with your local, authorised and accredited community foundation amplifies these benefits. Community foundations have a deep understanding of local needs and can help businesses direct their contributions effectively. By collaborating with us, businesses ensure their donations make the most significant impact, addressing critical issues such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, on a local level. Moreover, such partnerships enhance a company's public image. Customers and clients are increasingly inclined to support businesses that demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility. We want to help your business maximise the impact of your charitable giving, working in partnership to address your CSR goals and understand what causes matter to you and your team #CSRgoals #shropshire #business #supportinglocal #socialvalue #BusinessBenefits #LocalSupport #Shropshire #Telford&Wrekin