NAVCA is celebrating after receiving good news on funding from
the Office of the Third Sector (OTS). NAVCA has been told that not
only will it receive funding at the current year's level of
£424,000 in both 2009/10 and 2010/11, but also that this funding
will remain as a grant. This is seen as a massive vote of
confidence in the work of NAVCA as well as a vote of confidence in
grant funding.
Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of NAVCA, said
"This is great news for NAVCA and all our members. It allows
us to concentrate on doing what we do best - delivering high
quality services to our members, affiliates and partner
organisations.
"As well as being good for NAVCA, the fact that the money
is being given as a grant is good news for all in our sector. OTS
is known as a robust funder, which expects high quality delivery
from the organisations it funds. By using grant funding to support
NAVCA, OTS is leading by example and sending out a strong message
on grants to other funders. OTS is saying that grants are a good
way to fund organisations and are as good as any other funding
arrangement for guaranteeing results.
"Let's hope that other funders, including local
authorities and PCTs, note this and consider whether they can
change their own funding arrangements, so we begin to see a
slowdown in the trend for reducing grants that is hurting so many
local organisations."