Useful Websites
The following websites provide a wide range of information, advice, guidance and resources for groups. They cover things like how to write policies, business plans, set up projects, trustees role and responsibilities, budgeting, finances, and the 1,001 other things that voluntary and community groups need to do – including finding funding.
- The Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, exists to connect, develop and represent the third sector's leaders.
- Big Lottery Fund UK provides information and support in many areas of funding raising, budgeting evaluation and project management.
- Businessballs offers free business training, organisational development, resources, exercises, tools and templates to support the development of commercial and voluntary organisations.
- Charity Commission is the independent regulator for charitable activity in England and Wales, enabling charities to maximise their impact, ensuring compliance with legal obligations, encouraging innovation and effectiveness and championing public interest in charity to promote the public’s trust and confidence.
- Community Matters support and develop the capacity of community organisations and represent their interests at a national level. They promote the protection and conservation of the natural environment and sustainable development of resources.
- DIY Committee Guide provides an easy reference guide to all those involved in or supporting management committees and trustee boards. Areas covered include roles and responsibility of management committees; legal structures, charity status and recruiting new members.
- The fit4funding website provides 'Help & Advice' for community groups and voluntary organisations who are seeking funding. These resources can also be used by those giving funding advice in the Voluntary and Community Sector. There is also information about the services such as newsletters, interactive learning and training, that fit4funding provides either throughout England and Wales, or locally within West Yorkshire.
- Full cost recovery has pecialist information from the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations providing advice, information and tools to help voluntary groups understand how to cost project so that they are fully funded.
- Budget You Is small UK charity producing software and other resources, mainly for grant-seekers. Some products are free there are costs for others. They specialise in information and advice about charitable trusts and foundations that fund in the UK. They also offer toolkits such as Apply Yourselves, which helps with writing effective funding applications; Budget Yourselves which provides helps and advice about budgeting or costing projects; plus a range of advice leaflets on various aspects of funding
- Institute of fundraising is the professional body that represents and supports fundraisers in the UK.
- The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action is the national voice of local third sector infrastructure in England. Their purpose is to promote the local third sector nationally, by providing information, advice, networking and learning opportunities, support and development services.
- The National Council for Voluntary organisation gives voice and support to the voluntary and community sector in England. There are sister organisations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- RAISE exists to champion the third sector’s unique contribution to making South East England socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. Their role is to make regional policy makers aware of the scale, diversity and value of the third sector; make sure the voice of third sector organisations is heard and acted on by regional policy makers; enable third sector organisations to campaign effectively for change; build third sector organisations’ capacity to contribute to a sustainable region.
- Volunteering England is an independent voluntary agency committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering in all its diversity. Their work links research, policy innovation, good practice and grant making in the involvement of volunteers.
- What about disability - This is a need to know guide sponsored by Canada Life giving advice on disability etiquette, as well as facts and figures aimed at helping organisations 'get it right' on disability Available from the 1 July 2008, in an easy to read format and illustrated with cartoons, it available from the Employers' Forum on Disability. Contact Leander Feltham or Keith Harris on 020 7089 2410 for information on how to order or email publications@efd.org.uk. Cost is £4.50 per copy, £2.30 for members, with a minimum order of 5 copies
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