Increasing sustainability and attracting funding will ensure that your provision is as attractive as possible to potential funders from the public, private and voluntary sectors. 

These characteristics are:

• being able to demonstrate that you are meeting the needs of local children, families and communities
• building strong management, including good financial management
• securing income from a range of sources, rather than becoming reliant on just one or two
• understanding the complexities of funding and income generation
• nurturing a skilled, well-trained, motivated workforce
• involving children and young people, their families and other local community members
• working in partnership with local organisations
• networking widely with other local groups and potential stakeholders
• linking with local plans and strategies including the local play strategy, open space strategies, Children and Young People’s plans and the local Sustainable Community Plan
• making use of local infrastructure support
• securing commitment from the local authority including officers and councillors
• evaluation and monitoring of provision.

While none of these can guarantee secure long-term funding, those who took part in research for the publication Playing On: sustaining play provision in changing times generally felt that these conditions helped make their future more secure.

Sound financial management is the key to sustainability and encompasses all the activities that will have a financial impact. It will help you plan and allocate resources, determine and clarify accountability and provide information for funders. It will also be useful for preparing grant applications and reporting on the use of existing funding. If you have managed your finances well you are more likely to be funded in the future.

More and more funders are asking for business plans to be included with applications. For them, it establishes the need for the service or activity you want to provide and your competence in providing it.

There are several national organisations that provide information and advice on budgeting and financial management for voluntary and community groups and organisations. You are also advised to contact your local Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) for advice. To find your local CVS visit the directory page of the NAVCA website

 

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