Enterprising Communities from SmithMartin LLP

community development and enterprise creation

Our Urban Shop,
The Plunkett Foundation

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On November 9, 2015

In community, community economics, enterprise, funding, social business

 

‘Our Urban Shop is a unique pilot project that aims to help urban communities in the UK overcome the issues of buying good food locally.

We’ve partnered with Locality and received funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to help urban communities access the support and resources available for rural communities to set up community-owned shops…’  (Source: The Plunkett Foundation, Nov. 2015)

The programme application process is now open for this new Foundation initiative. See more here.

The Plunkett Foundation have already helped ten urban groups to explore the potential of their urban community owned shop idea. Is the time right for your community?

The Foundation will make grants of between 20,000 and thirty thousand pounds, and it is open  to applications from across the UK.

interneticon    You can download the grant guidelines and application forms here on the Foundation web site. The short film below gives you some headline advice and information about the project plans.

Our Urban Shop from Plunkett Foundation on Vimeo.

You can find more detailed scoping advice to download from the Foundation below…if you do apply, good luck!

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Building Better Opportunities

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On June 14, 2015

In community, enterprise, funding

Big Lottery Fund is matching funds from the European Social Fund for projects across England that tackle poverty and promote social inclusion.

biglotteryButtonBig Lottery Funding and ESF (European Social Fund) money is being deployed through the LEP network in England to offer matching funding to a variety of local projects, which tackle the root cause of poverty, promote social inclusion or drive local job creation.

You can see, currently, 71 opportunities for investment with the fund, of which 25 LEP areas are now live, with more to be available in the autumn of 2015.

You can see the Lottery key article on the web here.

Having reviewd the details, and to express an interest for your community or project, please complete this expression of interest on-line form here.

The Lottery have partnered with two organisations for the provision of support to applicants and to generate support materials as appropriate. You can register for these here.

If you do apply for your community…good luck.

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Being a Charity Trustee

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On March 30, 2014

In Charities, governance, Volunteering

The internet is full of information, so much, that sometimes it is difficult to sort out all the news, data and advice available.

Here at enterprisingcommunities.today we do write our own content for you, and provide formal sessions and training to pass it along. However, occasionally we come across a simple, clear and professional piece of advice that is useful, but provided by other organisations.

101 Simple Steps to Better Governance by interneticon Pitman Trustees Limited is one of them. A document containing 101 things that charity trustees need to know, both to be effective and to be efficient.

pdfIcon4 Download a copy of this document in pdf format here.

As ever, here at SmithMartin LLP, we’ll happy help you get ready for good governance or to work in partnership with you to deliver better charity operations in all their forms.

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Funding Social Enterprise

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On March 28, 2014

In community economics, enterprise, funding, social business

The Santander Social Enterprise Development Award for Enterprising Charities will re-open again on 9th April, 2014.

Santander offer support to registered charitable organisations, or community groups in possession of a constitution who are already trading.

The Fund offers three thematic awards, improving social inclusiion, skills and training and creating a greener environment.

Levels of funding available will include £20,000 for the Fast Growth category, £10,000 for the enterprising charity looking to increase trading activity and £5,000 Catalyst Growth for organisations nearer the beginning of their journey.

To get ready for the Fund re-opening you can interneticon access the existing on-line application here.

If you do apply, the very best of luck.

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A community resource on-line

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On March 19, 2014

In community, community economics, enterprise, governance, social business

Reaching out and sharing experience

This is a new community resource covering a variety of topics that will, we hope, be useful for community organisations undergoing change, community business development or creating new forms of governance.

Our news feeds will keep you up to date on funding, Charity Commission updates and the news from the Church of England, in concert with the Near Neighbours Programme.

What others do in the world to effect change can often create passionate communities for change at home.

We will add feature articles to this page, constantly updated and refreshed, that we hope will help you and your community persevere with your enterprise ambitions.

Do book mark our pages above, or visit our site, as we cycle and refresh our content regularly. We hope to become a reliable and regular resource for your project.

(We’re happy to feature your success as well as ask the enterprising community for reflection on things that aren’t going so well too!)

rssIcon4  Subscribe to our news feed.

emailIcon4  Inspiring story?        editor@enterprisingcommunities.today

emailIcon4  Use our ‘contact us’ box, bottom left, to ask our partners a question. (A no fee service always).

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