The collaborative fund offered core and project funding with minimal restrictions, so that VCSE organisations could access support for what they need, from staffing costs to utility bills!

Additionally, as explained by Nova’s CEO Maddy, “when Nova and Prosper brought our grant making processes together, the aim was to make it easier for VCSE Sector organisations to know what funding was available and reduce the capacity and resource required when writing numerous applications.”

"Organisations are trapped in a continuous resource-intensive cycle of raising and applying for new funds to ensure survival, which can eclipse much-needed organisational and workforce development." All Work and Low Pay? The Third Sector and The Real Living Wage, Living Wage Foundation

Maddy continues that “both organisations wanted the funds to go further and support organisations and, in turn, communities. Whilst there’s lots of learning, we believe we are working towards this and are excited to share our process with other local and national funders through Wakefield District Funders Forum.”

“Together we were able to have a far more detailed and insightful discussion about the level of need across the VCSE and in communities.” – Kath, CEO of Prosper Wakefield District

We’re delighted to announce that £230,000 has been awarded, with £180,000 from Prosper Wakefield District and £50,000 distributed by Nova Wakefield District from the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board. This grant funding is distributed through the Third Sector Framework to ensure the process is open and transparent.

It’s been our biggest grant round to date, with 84 applicants, so we want to say a huge thank you to each organisation for their interest. As Kath says “pooling the funding meant that we could make the money go further and help more organisations – but it didn’t make the decision process any easier – it’s always hard saying ‘no’ especially to organisations you know are doing their all to help the people with the most needs in some of the poorest communities. We only had £230,000 to grant, and so it was important that we made the decisions fairly and considerately and had an equitable process, that also took into account the thematic groups beneficiaries represented, as well as geographic locations.”

Congratulations to the successful organisations and let us introduce them...

• Bless Community Services
• Carers Wakefield
• Citizen's Advice WD
• Co-Active Arts
• Grow Wakefield
• Horbury Churches Together - Breakthrough Youth Project
• Humanity 1st
• Kidz Aware
• Learnest CIC
• Leeds Gate
• Oasis Christian Centre
• Open Country
• Portobello Community Forum
• Solace
• Star Bereavement
• The Well Project
• The Youth Association
• Wakefield District Sight Aid
• Wakefield District Society for Deaf People

One attendee at our Grant Information Session told us that the “approach is so refreshing” and we hope to continue our work to bring you funding that works for you!