Community Works “Read a funding bid” service

Brighton and Hove Community Works’ “read a funding bid” service for organisations gives constructive critique on funding bids that are 90% bid ready.

Your bid will benefit from a fresh and neutral pair of eyes from someone who understands funder expectations and the key elements of a strong funding bid. They will give you written feedback on your bid which will highlight its strengths, any glaring mistakes or omissions, and provide top level suggestions for change that would improve the chances of success.

For more information, visit Brighton and Hove Community Works website.

Online fundraising training from Community Works

A series of 3 webinars, which aim to help you hone, refresh or kick-start your fundraising efforts.

Sessions will consist of a 40 minute presentation, 20 minutes Q&A and then the option of a half hour extension if people would like to stay on the call to ask follow-up questions to the facilitators.

Case for Support Bootcamp, Wednesday 13 January 2021, 1:00-2:00pm

This session will give you what you need to ensure that your Case for Support works well for you. For example, what do funders expect to see in a case for support and how can you make yours stand out.

Prospecting and Research, Thursday 11 February 2021, 9:30-10:30am

How can you do great research about Trusts, Foundations and Grants before you make an application? Where do you look for information and vitally – what is that information telling you?

Income Diversification, Tuesday 16 March 2021, 11:00-12:00pm

What are the different incomes available to you? How might you start to explore new revenue streams for your organisation? When you are focused on Trusts, Foundations and Grants – how do you get started in developing individual giving, major donor or corporate fundraising?

Who should attend? These sessions are aimed at smaller organisations who might have limited capacity for fundraising. You might be the only person responsible for fundraising within your organisation or you might not have much fundraising experience.

There is a small charge per webinar of £10 – £35, with bursaries available to very small groups.

For information on registration and fees see https://bhcommunityworks.org.uk/moving-on-with-your-fundraising/

Community Works “Choosing the right structure” workshop

Do you want to take your group to the next level? Maybe you want to access more funding or you are thinking of taking on paid staff.

Community Works are running a workshop on legal structures: learn the difference between various legal structures and find which one suits you best. You will have the time and space to think about important issues such as whether to have voting members, how you will be funded and whether or not to incorporate.

2-hour session running:

When: Wednesday 4 December 2019 from 10.00am to 12.00pm

Where: Large Meeting Room, Community Works, 3rd Floor, Community Base Building, 113 Queen’s Rd, Brighton BN1 3XG

Book here.

Developing and managing a budget that works for you and your funders

Free workshop by Community Works

Open to all community and voluntary organisations across Brighton and Hove, Worthing and Adur.

Would you like to know more about budgeting issues for voluntary and community organisations?  Perhaps you don’t always have confidence in your budgets and find decision-making on budgeting challenging?

This session will cover making sense of your budgets, both in terms of:

  • creating budgets for funding bids
  • identifying where expenditure should go, and how particular roles or services are funded

We can also hear about software packages such as Xero and Sage.

The session will be led by an expert accountant with knowledge of the charity and voluntary sector.

Where: Gordon Room, Worthing Town Hall, Chapel Road, Worthing BN11 1HA
When: Thursday 20 June 2019, 14:00 – 16:00
To book: Book your place online via the Community Works website

Community Grants Drop-In

Thursday 27th June, 1-4pm

The Bevy, Hillside, Brighton, BN2 4TF

Want to make a difference in your community? Got an idea but not sure where to start? Already running a community group and need a helping hand?

Come along to the East Brighton Trust’s Community Grants Drop-In for free advice and support. You can:

  • Apply for one of the East Brighton Trust’s £500 small grants and get help filling in the form
  • Find out about other local funding sources
  • Get advice and support for your group or project

Free refreshments!

 

Community Works 1-1 Advice Surgeries

Community Works are starting new, monthly one-to-one advice surgeries at their offices in Community Base, for groups working in Brighton & Hove. If you want to talk over an issue, or just ask for general advice, they can support you with a wide range of topics. These include, but aren’t limited to Funding, Monitoring and Evaluation, Governance,  Volunteering, Policies and Procedures, Strategy and Planning. The sessions are free but you do need to book a place.

Dates: The last Tuesday of each month, between 2pm and 4.30pm

Venue: Community Works, 3rd Floor Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG

Who Should Attend?

The one-to-one advice surgeries are for anyone working or volunteering within a Brighton & Hove charity or community group. Members of Community Works will get priority. If your organisation isn’t a member, please get in touch with Community Works to discuss how you can join.

To book

Contact [email protected] or call 01273 234023 to book a 30 minute slot.

Community Works Mentoring Programme

Community Works Mentoring programme matches people who work or volunteer in leadership positions for voluntary and community organisations in Brighton, Hove, Adur or Worthing with experienced, volunteer mentors who provide one-to-one support over a set period of time.

After a matching event which sees the pairing up of mentees and mentors who have complimentary interests, you will be expected to meet around once a month for up to nine months.

What is mentoring?

A mentor will help a mentee to understand their work and personal aspirations and challenges. They’ll create a climate of openness and trust, supporting mentees to grow and develop as leaders, and in turn building the capacity of their organisations.

I’m interested in being a mentee

Mentees are people in leadership positions in voluntary or community organisations, regardless of whether your role title reflects this. Throughout the programme, you will be appropriately challenged by a mentor in order to help you problem solve, overcome barriers, and to develop your own inner mentor. Since we launched the Mentoring Programme, over 105 charity workers, volunteers and trustees have benefited from being a mentee. Find out more.

I’m interested in being a mentor

Mentors are people who want to give something back to their local area, are keen to support the development of others in the charity sector, and who would benefit personally from sharing their experience. We’ll match you with someone who works or volunteers in a voluntary and community organisation and who will benefit from your skills and experience. You’ll support them to successfully solve challenges and develop their capacity as leaders in the sector. Find out more.

How to apply / Deadlines

This year, the application process takes place via SurveyMonkey.

Please submit your application for being a mentor by 5 April, or for being a mentee by 26 April.

The application forms can be found by following the links above.

Telephone: 01273 234023

Website: bhcommunityworks.org.uk

Crowdfunding for Community Groups workshop

Date and Time

Tue, 12 March 2019, 18:30 – 20:30 GMT

Location

The Bevy, 50 Hillside, Brighton, BN2 4TF

Details

Have you got a community based project that needs funding?

This event is for community groups and organisations in Brighton & Hove who are interested in crowdfunding.

Come along with your ideas for the chance to work through your project plans and find out more about how Crowdfunding could work for you.

You’ll also hear about the Projects that Matter Campaign that we’re running with the CriSeren Foundation and how you could be one of the 5 local causes to receive £1,000 towards your first crowdfunding ask.

The workshop will be run by Crowdfunder.co.uk the #1 community crowdfunding platform, having raised over £60m for business, charity and social enterprise projects across the UK.

Topics to be covered:

  • Introducing Crowdfunder
  • What is crowdfunding?
  • What makes a good crowdfunding project?
  • Three steps to success
  • Accessing advice and support

To book

Places are limited so please book your spot early. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crowdfunding-for-community-groups-brighton-hove-tickets-55961805266

 Please notify the organiser if there are any adjustments you require in order to participate fully at the event, and we will do our best to meet those requirements where possible.

Free GDPR discussion group for community groups and organisations

Community Works are holding a series of discussion groups about data protection for community groups. Places for Brighton & Hove groups are now available at the two sessions in Worthing, coming up this month.

Details:
Thursday 12 July or Friday 20 July
Worthing Town Hall, 6-8pm

To book a place:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/getting-to-grips-with-gdpr-worthing-tickets-46519973493

About the workshops:

Many organisations still have questions about GDPR, whether they are at the beginning of the GDPR process or a bit further along. If this applies to you, book your place now on our free Getting to Grips with GDPR discussion group. Each session is limited to 8 people and offers a safe and informal space for organisations to share common issues, questions and challenges around GDPR. They will be facilitated by Dr Mary Darking, Senior Lecturer in Social Policy and Innovation.

Feedback from the first session:

“I have a better understanding for the two charities I work with, and for me personally”
“I really like this style of learning”
“I don’t feel so stressed and anxious about GDPR”

The sessions are most appropriate for individuals who will be taking a lead on GDPR within their organisation, whether as a trustee, staff member or volunteer. They will provide the opportunity to reflect and will offer guidance and advice either on what action to take or where to look for more support. Each session will be led by the questions of the people who attend. Confidentiality will be respected at all times.

The above dates are prioritised for member organisations in Adur and Worthing, but owing to demand we are now also making them available to members in Brighton and Hove.

Please note that bookings are limited to one per organisation across the entire workshop series (5 sessions).

East Brighton Trust Community Grants Drop In 24th April 2018

Do you live in East Brighton?

Want to make a difference in your community?
Got an idea but not sure where to start?
Already running a community group and need a helping hand?

Join East Brighton Trust, Sussex Community Foundation & The Resource Centre for free advice and support.