Diary Marker - World War One Commemorative Engagement Event Diary Marker

The next few years will see a public focus on the commemoration of World War One. This was a period of history that had an impact on every town, village, and community across Wales with the loss of so many young men. Organisations throughout the nation are already considering how they can tell the stories of such a turbulent time.

CyMAL in conjunction with the Heritage Lottery Fund will be holding two events in the new year to start a discussion with organisations in Wales on how to develop ideas, partnerships, and events to mark this important historical period.

Please add a diary marker for a WW1 commemoration engagement event on 22 January 2013 in Cardiff and 28 January in Llandudno Junction.  

Open the link below to see what support the heritage lottery fund can provide. 
http://snipurl.com/263lojc 

(Source: WCVA)

Competing for contracts?

Is your organisation considering bidding for contracts - here's some useful advice from the Guardian Social Enterprise Network:

http://socialenterprise.guardian.co.uk/social-enterprise-network/2013/jan/11/third-sector-considerations-competing-contracts

What does 2013 hold for the sector

I cam across this interesting article from the Guardian Voluntary Sector Network from three senior figures about how they see this year for their charities.  It goes to show that the issues we face are the same, whether we are a grass roots organisation or a large national charity.

Have a read of it - what do you think 2013 will bring for the sector?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2013/jan/10/year-ahead-tough-remain-positive

Arts Council Large Grants deadline pending

The Arts Council of Wales offers Arts Grants for Organisations to provide targeted support for arts organisations based and primarily working in Wales. The aim of the scheme is to enable organisations to fulfil their artistic potential and offer creative experiences of the highest possible quality. Groups can apply for grants of between £5,001 and £30,000 to support larger scale arts projects, or make a contribution to a very large project with several other funding partners.

Grants are offered under the following Funding Priorities:

§  Audience development.

§  Participation.

§  Business enterprise and organisational development.

§  Programme support for venues and galleries.

§  Creating or commissioning for production or touring.

§  Research and development.

§  Festivals.

§  Training, mentoring and continuing professional development (CPD).

§  Increasing opportunities for young creators.

§  Theatre production development.

§  Music industry development.

§  Voluntary and community sector development.

Eligible organisations must:

§  Be based in Wales, another part of the UK or another European Union country.

§  Be a charitable or not-for-profit organisation with a written constitution that includes provision of artistic activity.

§  Be able to provide evidence of their track record of delivering arts activity for audiences or participants.

§  Have an Equal Opportunities Policy reviewed by the organisation's board or management committee within the last three years, and provide evidence that equality and diversity is reflected in both artistic programming and day to day planning and operations.

§  Not be in default on any financial agreement with the Arts Council of Wales.

http://www.artswales.org.uk/what-we-do/funding/apply/organisations

(Source j4bcommunity)

Gift Aid gift for charities

Welsh charities are celebrating an early Christmas gift in the form of new rules allowing them to make more money from donations.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is lifting the administrative burden for organisations claiming Gift Aid on the proceeds of donors’ goods sold by charity shops.
Gift Aid is a tax relief on donations of money by individuals, with the donor having to pay at least the same amount of income tax or capital gains tax as the charity reclaims from HMRC on the donation.
In 2006, the third sector devised a way for Gift Aid to be applied to the proceeds of goods sold by charities on behalf of their supporters. Instead of giving the goods to the shops for the shop to sell, the shop sells the goods on behalf of the supporter, offering them the choice of taking the money - less a sales commission - or giving it to the charity under Gift Aid.
Currently, charities are required to write to a donor before they can claim Gift Aid on the proceeds from each sale, so that the donor can confirm that they are UK taxpayers
The new rules allow donors to make a one-off Gift Aid declaration that covers donations of up to £100 - or £1,000 of future sale proceeds - in a tax year without the shop needing to seek the supporter’s permission to claim the tax relief. The charity will need to write to the donor only when sale proceeds exceed the amount.
Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), the umbrella organisation for Wales’s 30,000 voluntary groups, has welcomed the announcement.
‘This is excellent news for charities who claim Gift Aid on goods donated to their charity shops,’ said WCVA Giving Officer Eileen Kinsman.
‘It will mean a considerable reduction in administration and bureaucracy and the associated costs. As many charities in Wales raise significant income from their charity shops, it will mean more money going directly to the beneficiaries.’
The new procedures apply from April 2013. HMRC will publish detailed guidance on them in the New Year.

(Source:WCVA)

Planning and Writing Successful Bids

The above training course will be taking place later this month.:

This advanced course is intended for experienced bid writers wanting to further develop their knowledge and skills to produce compelling funding bids. 

It is NOT suitable for those with little or no previous experience of grant funding.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the current funding climate in Wales and its impact on funders
• Review their current approach of developing a bid
• Apply new tools and techniques to give their bids a winning ‘edge’

Understand and meet the expectations of funders

For more information, or to book a place contact PAVO on 01597 822191

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you all!

Have you made any New Year Funding Resolutions?

We'd love to hear from you.