Feasibility study on establishing a Funding Advisers’ National Network in England
A national partnership commissioned by the Finance Hub has produced a feasibility study on the establishment of a Funding Advice National Network (FANN) in England.
The report looks in detail at the need for a FANN to support the work of funding advisers to the third sector in England and has detailed responses from over 250 advisers throughout the country.
The Feasibility Study concludes that a Funding Advice National Network should be established, as a project of an existing Third Sector infrastructure organisation.
Fit4funding are seeking comments on the study, please contact Chris Hollins, Tel. 01924 239063, chris.hollins@fit4funding.org.uk
Key issues identified in taking this work further were:
- The FANN should complement existing services rather than compete with them and prioritise working closely with existing funding advice agencies operating at regional and district level.
- FANN should be a sustainable, inclusive national organisation. It is likely to be funded through membership fees, income generated through service provision and grants.
- Membership of the FANN will need to reflect local and regional networks, individual agencies and organisations providing funding advice.
This Feasibility Study is part of a larger development funded through the Finance Hub. The next stage of development will be the preparation of a business plan, and funding applications, as well as seeking a cooperative agreement amongst existing funding advice agencies operating at a national level to the launch of a FANN in 2008.
The aim is for the provision of funding advice to become an established profession within the sector, with high levels of recognition and confidence among service users. The Network would act as the disseminator and guardian of these standards.
To view the full report go to:
http://www.financehub.org.uk/projects/fann/default.aspa
or the fit4funding website at www.fit4funding.org.uk