Dear Colleagues,
A recent report by New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) and Social Investment Business highlights that some charities are and should remain funded wholly or mainly by grants.
The research shows that repayable finance is unsuitable and states that: “Treating them as if they are simply at the early stage of a journey toward repayable finance gets their economics wrong and leads to the wrong policy responses. Grant-sustained organisations are not investment-ready organisations that lack technical assistance, they are organisations for whom a positive financial return is structurally impossible given their mission, their service population, and the nature of their work. A peer support group for people with severe mental health conditions, a foodbank, a refugee welcome project or a village hall committee may create huge social value, but they are not set up to generate trading surpluses. That value is created through voluntary effort, public grant and philanthropic giving, not through a market model.” Plenty of food for thought and you can read more here.
At WVCA we produce quarterly reports which highlight our work with the sector. Here are some of the highlights for April to June 2026:
WVCA provides tailored 1-2-1 support to individuals and groups exploring the establishment of a new voluntary or community organisation. Support is client-led and may include exploring the most appropriate organisational structure, discussing the advantages and implications of different options (including CICs, charities and community groups), understanding governance and legal requirements, and providing guidance on the registration or set-up process. Support may also include advice on developing governing documents, policies, funding strategies and signposting to specialist advice or relevant local contacts where appropriate. The aim is to enable individuals and groups to make informed decisions and develop the knowledge and confidence needed to establish and sustain their organisation.
- We saw about 40 groups who were seeking support
- Almost half of which were new groups
- 54% of groups for which we have data, are led by or have been set up by individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds
- A snapshot of 48 interactions resulted in more than one topic being discussed
A Community Interest Company (CIC) operating in Wolverhampton for six years and providing counselling services approached WVCA for support following an unsuccessful National Lottery Reaching Communities application. The organisation was seeking advice on funding opportunities and how to strengthen future applications. We provided tailored support over several weeks through a combination of online, email and face-to-face support. As a result of the support, the organisation was successful in securing three years of much-needed unrestricted funding through the Postcode Lottery.
As part of the promotion of the council’s draft VCS Strategy consultation process, 30 community centres, community hubs and places of worship across the city were visited to distribute promotional posters and flyers highlighting the VCS support offer. This activity also aimed to increase awareness of WVCA’s support among a wider range of voluntary and community organisations across Wolverhampton.
We are looking forward to the outcome of the consultation on the strategy and will keep you updated.
Here are some dates for your diary, please join us:
- 24th September 2026 at 11-12, Social Investment Webinar – Tom Bostock, Big Issue Invest
- 13th October 2026 VCSEF Alliance Meeting at 10.30-12 at ASAN
- 20th November 2026 at 11-3, WVCA celebrates 20 years of the establishment of SUIT Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service and 10 years of the Social Prescribing Service at the Arena Theatre
If there are any issues that you would like to raise or anything that you would like to hear more about, please contact me.
If you would like more information, please remember to check out our website and newsletter regularly – there is always new information, and opportunities are always presenting themselves.
Thank you
Sharon Nanan-Sen
Chief Executive Officer