[cma-l] Power to Change funding

[Ian Hickling]

Hi Lucinda

That sounds like a very promising prospect for CR Licensees.
The parameters are very much in alignment with Ofcom's principles for Key Commitments, but from a recent meeting I would stress that it is vital to carefully read the conditions and advice - because so many Applicants simply don't - with the obvious result!


Ian Hickling

Partner

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________________________________
From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk <cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk> on behalf of Lucinda Guy <lucinda at soundartradio.org.uk>
Sent: 08 December 2016 22:08
To: cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk
Subject: [cma-l] Power to change funding

Hi Everyone,
Bill and I met with the people at 'Power to Change' which distributes lottery money to help social businesses to grow. We're aware that several CMA members had made unsuccessful applications, and wondered how we might help, and raise awareness of community media and its impact.
There is a deadline for their Community Business Fund next week, and there will be further rounds next year.
http://www.thepowertochange.org.uk/funding/grants/community-business-fund/
We had a really good discussion with one of their grant managers, and have some advice to pass on.
Hope you find this helpful.
Lucinda


Tips for CMA members who are applying to the Community Business Fund

There are two funds that may be of interest to CMA members. The Community Business Fund (CBF), and the Bright Ideas Fund, which will reopen next year. If you are not ready to apply to the CBF, eg do not have a business plan already, then the Bright Ideas Fund may be more suitable.

The CBF has grants of between £50K and £300K for “step change” in trading income and financial viability/sustainability. Power to Change funding is for organisations serving a tightly defined neighbourhood – such as a one or two wards of a city, or a village in a rural area. You should demonstrate how you reach many different types of people who live in this neighbourhood, and not just work with one specific group.

If you are a licensed station, talk about your licence range, which will usually be for a 5km radius, and about the location of your studio – who comes through the door? What happens there as well as the broadcasts? How does it forward community development just by being there for people?

There are four criteria that all CBF applicants will need to meet:

1) Locally rooted

The idea needs to have come from the local community, not from an outside individual or organisation stepping in to try to change things. This is grassroots action. Communities are defined geographically – not as communities of interest. The project needs to be open to and accessible by all groups of people. An example was a social centre for people with learning disabilities. This includes a café which all people, not just people with disabilities, can access. The centre can be hired out by other community groups as well.

2) Community Accountability

There are many types of community accountability. This could include being a membership organisation, holding consultation sessions, etc. We noticed this overlaps a lot with key commitments. For example, how can local people become members/volunteers/presenters at a station? Do you have a regular feedback show to review your output? Do you have members meetings etc? How can volunteers become board members, and have a say in the running of things? Do you plan programming in a democratic way? Show how local people have ownership of your project.

3) Trading

This means non-grant income. They are only interested in organisations who are already trading, and who want to trade more. A good model is where grants are just for extra activities, not to support the running costs. We discussed how sometimes organisations are unclear of how to categorise their income. For example, a service level agreement with a local council or school – is this grant or trading? This can be a grey area. There is no cut off point for what percentage of your income should be from trading, but the applications are quite competitive, so the more trading the better. Show how it can grow realistically, not too rapidly. They need to see a clear trading model – what products/services is the organisation going to trade in? How does that build on existing types and levels of trading?

4) Broad Community Impact

Impact is about how you are changing lives. This could be a wide range of things – we would advise you to talk more about those who come through the door, than those who tune in. This could include how people learn skills, an apprenticeship programme, reducing loneliness and isolation, etc. They don't want to see just one specific group benefiting from a project, this needs to be broad. When developing new resources, they need to see the right balance, to show sustainability. For example, if they were to fund a new training studio, how would it be accessed by different groups? Who would pay – and at what rates. Different rates for different customers could mean it brings in a good income, whilst being accessible to all.

--

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Soundart Radio 102.5 fm
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