Northern Rock Foundation provides big boost for enterprising charities
Northern Rock Foundation is calling on voluntary organisations and social enterprises to come up with fresh ideas to help them grow in size, improve long term sustainability and increase their impact.
Northern Rock Foundation has launched a new grant fund called the Fresh Ideas Fund.
The aim is that the £0.5m fund will help voluntary organisations and social enterprises in the North East and Cumbria, to develop their best and most enterprising ideas to the point where they are ready for investment.
Liz Chadwick Chief Executive of DAWN Advice, a social enterprise employing over 80 people in Northumberland, said: “We are very excited about The Fresh Ideas Fund, it offers us the opportunity to further develop our range of legal advice services in order to maximise our reach across the region, and beyond. We strive to provide as comprehensive a service as possible and the fund will play a key role in helping us to achieve this.”
“As we continue to move forward through difficult times we are extremely dedicated to creating new and innovative services to ensure that people who are facing difficulties receive the best help and advice.”
Tony Henfrey, a business investor and trustee of the Foundation, said “You may have ambitions to develop new social enterprises, support more of your beneficiaries, spread your work into your neighbouring town, or work with completely new clients.
“You might want to take on a new asset or build a partnership with a like minded charity. Our aim is to help you to produce the business plans you need to secure the investment to make your ideas happen “
Lorna Moran, trustee of the Foundation and Chief Executive and founder of recruitment company NRG said “Successful leaders adapt quickly, learning to see their world in new ways and encouraging fresh thinking. They know that in a rapidly changing environment it is only those organisations that can innovate which will grow and thrive. ”
“We believe that The Fresh Ideas Fund fills a gap for people who may have good ideas but need money to get those ideas worked up to a point where they can become reality”
Voluntary organisations and social enterprises wanting to apply to the Fresh Ideas Fund can do so via the Northern Rock Foundation’s website at www.nr-foundation.org.uk