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Hi everyone, apart from self fundraising by doing sponsored events like walks or other activities that we are keen on doing what options are out there for a new charity to get funding, grants or even loans?

I have my own personal amount of 10k to put in to the charity until we get going but if our only option is raising funds ourselves by fundraising I think it's going to be very hard for us actually achieve what we want to.

We are a mental health charity that although will be offering services local the way we offer our services we will be mobile and plan to take things on the road up and down the country.

Any advice and pointers in the right direction is much appreciated. Thank You

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A CharityConnect User Staff PANEL

at 5 years ago

Hi Jonny,

There is a LOT of funding out there, before you apply you need to be a registered charity and the first hurdle is many need you to have a full years accounts first before you can apply, so it's best to get a few smaller grants first to show you know how to handle the process (most funders ask what funding you have previously had).

Smaller grants may be easier for you initially, Awards 4 All is part of the lottery and you can apply for up to £10,000 and the process is quite easy.

Re mental health, have you spoken to the Council or the CCG about your idea? It may be they have either:

Health & Wellbeing, Social Prescribing, Wellness teams

in your area who could help you to pilot a new idea/project if it is going to provide mental health benefits to people in the community. Social Housing providers may also be interested if your mobile and could support their tenants who are struggling with isolation, depression, anxiety etc.

Smaller pots of funding (a few grand) are available from most supermarket groups, Greggs, Morrisons, Tesco and Co-op all have their own charitable funds, mostly the local community votes for the 'winners' with these so you need a good group of supporters who can share the word and vote for you though.

Finally, (I'm not sure where your based) most areas have a CVS (community voluntary service) who can support you on your journey in setting up a new charity, they can help you with all sorts of info.

You really need to research what is available in your local area to support you and who you can work in partnership with, another larger charity for instance might pay you to deliver some mental health work with their clients.

Good luck

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A CharityConnect User Staff PANEL

at 5 years ago

Carol Prendergast thank you, none of us will be getting paid it's all going to be voluntary

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A CharityConnect User Staff PANEL

at 5 years ago

Even if your not paid, funders will want to know how you are protecting the vulnerable people you are supporting so will still need volunteer agreements/ policies in place.

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Suzanne Lestrade Staff PANEL

Fundraising Consultant at Various charities CIC, CIO’s 5 years ago

Hi Jonny

I'm a Freelance Fundraising Consultant; specifically helping charities, CIC's and CIO to source ahd apply for funding for their projects. Let me know if you'd be interested in my services and we'll connect. There's a lot of funding out there for mental health support at the moment.

Regards

Suzanne

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Ian McLintock Staff PANEL

Founder at Charity Excellence Framework 5 years ago

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Good on you. Lots of guides, funding finders and funder lists on the Charity Excellence Resource Hub fundraising page - all free. https://www.charityexcellence.co.uk/Home/FundingFindersResources

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Emma Patmore Staff PANEL

Associate Consultant Trustee Recruitment & Development at Bruce Tait Associates 5 years ago

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Hi Johny,

As Matt says, well done for all your efforts so far and all the best going forward - but as I, and others have commented on to other similar enquirers, perhaps one way to get your idea going would be to take your ideas and offer to get involved on a practical front to existing mental health charities. There are already so many organisations, including mental health support and there might be value to helping to set up a new service, rather than a wholly different organisation and flooding and diluting the 'market'. These existing charities already have the infrastructures, and perhaps access to funding for something like this, or would know where to look, who to ask, etc. But having some ideas of your own about fundraising would be an advantage.

Have you enquired at Big Society Capital, and their Get Informed service? A free mentoring service designed for very small and start up organisations about the best sort of social investment that can help the organisation get going. Remember though, that social investment is often a repayable loan, but all the usual Ts&Cs would be agreed between both parties. Might be worth getting in touch to see of they have a social finance expert who can advise you. It's a great, and completely independent service, they're not beholden to any particular social finance organisation/person. Best example I have is £4.5m loan repayment by a NEET charity in Sheffield (I helped to appoint the independent Chair, who now acts as an Ambassador for Get Informed).

Good luck with it, and keep us posted!

Emma

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A CharityConnect User Staff PANEL

at 5 years ago

Emma Patmore thank you for your reply, I understand that there are lots of mental health charities but I believe what I have in mind has not been tried certainly not in my area. I'm not saying its unique I just dont think anyone is doing similar.

I dont think me approaching an established charity with this idea would work I cant see them funding me to get the idea / project up and running. I think if i want this to happen i need to do it myself, i would love to work with someone like another charity to see people benefit.

Thank you for the suggestions il take a look now.

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Matt Saunders Staff PANEL

Founder at Web design for charities 5 years ago

Hi Johny, firstly well done on what you've put together so far. In terms of funding, have you considered crowdfunding? Setting up a page, ideally with a video to outline your goals, could drum up support from friends and family, and hopefully the wider community. More charities are also moving towards sustainable income models, such as memberships, which give service users a tangible "thing" in return for their financial support.

Mental health is very much in the zeitgeist at the moment - thankfully - and I think we will be continuing to talk about it more and more, so there should be plenty of support out there waitinf for you. All the best with it 🙂

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A CharityConnect User Staff PANEL

at 5 years ago

Matt Saunders thank you very much for your reply, I'v not looked in to Crowdfunding I thought it was for business only and new start ups. Is it for charities as well? We do have a Gofundme and Just Giving page ready to start sharing. Would you say Crowdfunding is better?

The membership idea sounds good but not sure how we could impliment that, any ideas are appreciated.

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Matt Saunders Staff PANEL

Founder at Web design for charities 5 years ago

Johny Lee You can crowdfund for anything. It's just about getting people on-board with your vision.

For memberships, there are software platforms out there, or you could look at something like WordPress that enables basic membership functionality. That might not be the right approach from day one, as you'd do well to have a community in place first, but it's an option for creating a stable income.

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