Accelerator programme supports a more resilient voluntary sector

8 Sep 2020

The Community Foundation, in partnership with the Department for Communities (DfC) and NICVA will this week launch a new Accelerator Programme for the voluntary sector.

The programme which aims to build the capacity of charities, community groups and social enterprises will help improve skills and confidence and generally build the resilience of groups and organisations within our new environment.

Organisations in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, their volunteers, board members and staff will have access to a series of free online events, training sessions and peer learning with others.

Siofra Healy, Director of Philanthropy, Community Foundation “Organisations in the community and voluntary sector like all organisations have been through turbulent times lately. Many have adapted their services and responded to new and emerging needs whilst also coping with financial losses, uncertainty and the requirement for new skills. At the Foundation we want to help our community through these difficult times and into the future and that is why we are launching this programme. Voluntary groups are telling us that they need longer-term help to build their capacity and resilience and this programme which will be delivered by NICVA aims to do just that. It is a great opportunity to leverage learning and good practice at such a key time.”

The aim is to equip organisations to move to their next stage of development and to strengthen them to thrive in the future. The programme will focus on the knowledge and skills needed to be well-governed and compliant, as well as on how to diversify income, measure impact and be innovative in approach.

Una McKernan, Deputy Chief Executive NICVA “Following a turbulent 6 months we are really pleased to work with CFNI and DfC to begin our recovery plan for the future by focusing support on the key areas that make a real difference in developing and supporting organisations.”

This programme is designed to meet the current and future needs of the sector with topics that are relevant and content that is practical and informative. The sessions will be delivered online from September 2020 until March 2021, by NICVA staff and other guest experts.

See below the first five sessions, new dates will be added on an ongoing basis. You can view these here.

Dates for your diary

Date Time Webinar

24 September 11am – 12.30pm Managing finances in uncertain times and the

options for sustainability

30 September 11am – 12.30pm Fundraising in this new context

7 October 11am – 12.30pm Identifying and managing your risks

14 October 11am – 12.30pm Success in funding applications

21 October 11am – 12.30pm Data governance and cyber security

The other future sessions will include:

Beyond the grant

Tenders