The Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) was constituted as a charity and registered company in December 2003. However, it is not a new organisation having formed as a development of the Unemployed Voluntary Action Fund (UVAF). UVAF was an unincorporated charity whose mission and objectives needed to be updated in order to reflect the new areas of work evolving within its portfolio. VAF has continued the legacy of grassroots grant making, promoting the inclusion of those most excluded within their communities.
Much of VAF’s funding comes from the Scottish Government to enable it ‘to support voluntary and community organisations in taking forward social change’. The fund’s grant programmes are linked by the common threads of social inclusion and support for organisational development. The projects they fund are all focused on providing real solutions to identified community need. Each grant programme has its own individual criteria and priorities as well as a direct link to government policy.
The fund’s website provides the following overview of its values, aims and objectives:
Mission Statement
'The Voluntary Action Fund believes in the capacity of all people to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. Through the effective investment of grants we will support voluntary organisations to promote equality by tackling barriers to participation and unlocking the energies and talents in Scotland's communities.
Values
In taking forward our mission statement we adhere by the following values in all areas of our work:
we believe in the capacity of voluntary activity in taking forward change
we believe that barriers to participation and involvement can and should be tackled and this under pins all of our work
we are proud of our commitment to transparency, fairness, rigour and equality across all of our practices
we believe in learning through action and will support the promotion of enquiry and learning across all areas of our work
we believe that strength can lie in partnership and collaboration and shall continue to develop new ways of working with key partners.
Approach
Our approach is one of:
working alongside organisations to achieve high standards
providing tailored training and direct support
identifying and supporting new ways of working
being alert to activities of wider significance and sharing information
encouraging organisations to develop networks to share their knowledge and learn from each other
ensuring the impact and effectiveness of our funded programmes through systematic monitoring and evaluation.
As an organisation we strive to add to our effectiveness by:
investing in our own learning and development as Investors in People
contributing to local and national networks and forums to influence and shape policy
proactively building relationships with other funders.'
Grant Programmes
The fund is currently managing three grantmaking programmes, summarised here from details on the website:
Volunteering Scotland Grant Scheme
The Volunteering Scotland Grant Scheme (VSGS) is funded by the Scottish Government. It is playing a key role in implementing the Volunteering Strategy for Scotland through funding the development of high quality volunteering opportunities.
'VAF has recently awarded grants to 62 organisations to assist the development of high quality volunteering opportunities and volunteer support. Twenty three of the awards are for small grants of less than £5,000, while the remaining 39 are for more substantial projects over one, two or three years.
We are not currently inviting applications to this scheme as it fully expended and we do not anticipate being able to make grants for the foreseeable future.’
Equality Grants Programme
‘The Equality Grants Programme 2008-2011 is managed by the Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) and is funded through the Scottish Government Equality Unit. VAF provides dedicated 'investment support' including grant management, monitoring and development support for projects funded through the following streams:
race, religion and refugee integration
disability
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
gender.
The Equalities Programme has a strong commitment to equalities and works to support organisations which combat inequality, foster integration, promote dialogue and understanding between communities.
In taking this forward, the aspiration is to work with organisations on capturing the change they are making (outcomes), and collectively as networks of funded projects - i.e. what key equality changes are being delivered across Scotland through Government funding support and where future programmes of work and funding should be prioritised to address gaps.’
Community Chest
This programme is managed by VAF with funding from the Scottish Government. It has £400,000 available over the two years 2009-10 and 2010-11.
‘Community Chest is a small grant programme providing grants of up to £1,000 and free training to help small community groups in Scotland sustain and develop their activities.
Groups can apply for funding for a wide range of activities or operational costs. However, we are particularly keen to fund activities that will help build and develop strong organisations, for example:
training for committee members and volunteers
visits to other organisations or conferences
professional support or consultancy.
We are also keen to fund groups who meet any of the following criteria:
are based in West Dunbartonshire, South Lanarkshire or North Ayrshire
work with disability or health related issues
whose beneficiaries might be disadvantaged through their ethnicity, disability, gender or sexual orientation
provide childcare.
Free training will be offered to all groups applying for a grant on topics such as charity law, making successful funding applications, and monitoring and evaluation. The training events will also provide information on where groups can go for further support and funding. Groups receiving a grant will be expected, as a condition of the grant, to attend at least one of the free training events.
Groups will be considered for a grant if they have:
an annual income below £25,000 per year (excluding any income for capital items such as buildings or equipment)
a signed constitution or set of rules (if you do not have a constitution you should approach your local Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) who will be happy to advise you)
a bank account in the name of the group
an independent referee, such as a community worker or a CVS or volunteer centre worker, who can vouch for the group and has knowledge of the plans for using the grant.
The Community Chest programme will not consider funding individuals or activities that promote a political party or religion. The Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) will also not fund groups that have had a Community Chest grant within the previous 12 month period. Parent Councils and PTA's will not be eligible to apply for a Community Chest grant as funding is likely to be used by a third party rather than the Parent Council or PTA itself and for activities that may be a statutory responsibility. Hobby groups and private clubs with a restrictive membership that do not provide a service wider than their members will be a low priority and are unlikely to receive a grant.’
Applications for the Community Chest programme can be made throughout the year with deadlines on the 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December.
Grantmaking
In 2007/08 the fund had an income of £2.6 million. Grants were made totalling around £2 million. Grants usually range from £100 to £40,000. No further financial information was available.
Previous beneficiaries include: Glasgow Braendam Link, Calman Trust Ltd, Jeely Piece Club, Street League Scotland, Chinese Community Development Partnership – Glasgow, Duncholgan Playgroup, Gorbals Initiative, Sikh Sanjog, British Red Cross, Legal Services Agency and Umoja.
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