NAVCA is supporting the recently announced future plans for
Awards for
All, challenging the notion that the plans mean an end to the
small grants scheme. NAVCA believes that the proposals from the
four lottery distributors, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Arts
Council, Sport England and the Big Lottery Fund, demonstrate a
commitment to continuing to provide small grants to local third
sector groups. NAVCA is confident that the proposals will deliver
the type of schemes local third sector groups want by having open,
easily accessible, light touch grant application systems with quick
decision times.
Stories of the demise of Awards for All caused concern among
NAVCA members, worried that a popular and important programme for
local third sector groups was ending. Kevin Curley, Chief Executive
of NAVCA, contacted Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the Big
Lottery and has been reassured that the proposals mean that all
four lottery distributors will maintain small grant schemes with
the Big Lottery Fund running a version of Awards for All.
Kevin Curley said: "When I read that Awards for All was ending
next March I was horrified that such a popular and sensible way of
handling small grants was ending. However, as can often be the
case, when I sought out the facts I found the real situation to be
very different. Small grant schemes are continuing and I would like
to reassure our members and local groups that all four lottery
distributors are committed to running small grants schemes.
"NAVCA is happy to support the changes as it will be possible
for many local groups to get grants from more than one of the four
lottery distributors, an improvement on Awards for All. However,
any change can be difficult for local groups and NAVCA will work
with the lottery providers to make sure that the changes do not
make it harder for local groups. I am pleased to say that the Big
Lottery has already given a commitment to shorten application forms
and reduce the time taken to get a decision.
"NAVCA will press for changes to maximise the benefit of these
schemes to local third sector groups. In particular we will
continue to argue that these schemes should not be available to
statutory bodies such as Town Councils and statutory health bodies.
This would increase the money available to local third sector
groups."