Introduction to the Finance Hub

The main focus of the Finance Hub is to build on existing expertise and to develop capacity within existing service providers. The Hub’s remit is procurement, fundraising, social enterprise, and financial management.

The Finance Hub is committed to ensuring that its programme is accessible to BME groups, rural organisations, and others representing diverse groups in our society. It will also enable them to participate fully in the delivery of the programmes of work.

Main Aims of the Finance Hub

• Help the voluntary and community sector better understand the issues.
• Influence national policy and practice.
• Support regional, sub-regional and local voluntary and community organisations in their advocacy work with local funders and other policy makers.

The vision for the hub is: 'VCOs which are effective and independent because they are financially sustainable'.

How the Finance Hub delivers its aims

• A website offering a comprehensive signposting service.
• Support for advisors working with frontline organisations, including: training; an interactive tool-kit; guidance material; networking services; policy and advocacy work promoting the value of funding for advice work.
• Work monitoring changes in the funding environment and alerting funders and other policy makers to their likely impact.
• Fill gaps in resources, information or support.
• Positively influence the policy and practice of funders and other policy makers.

Organisations, accountable body and staff

The Finance Hub accountable body is the Charities Aid Foundation.

16 organisations form the Executive group of the Finance Hub:

• Action with Communities in Rural England
• Association of Charitable Foundations  
• Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations  
• Charities Aid Foundation   
• Charity Finance Directors's Group  
• Community Development Finance Association  
• Community Foundations Network
• Development Trusts Association  
• Directory of Social Change  
• Funderfinder  
• Institute of Fundraising  
• National Association for Voluntary and Community Action 
• NCVO's Sustainable Funding Project  
• Social Enterprise Coalition  
• South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau  
• Voice East Midlands  

The Hub has three core staff – Programme Director, Programme Manager and Executive Officer, with additional assistance provided by independent Consultants.

Developments and Projects

Several research projects are underway:

• Resources to support advice workers
  
• Training & development opportunities for advisers
  
• Community accountancy
  
• Encouraging better funding practice
  
• Encouraging local authority asset transfer
  
• BME Voluntary and community organisations policy and advocacy work
• Publicising the finance hub through voluntary and community sector channels
• Networking funding advisers

Business Plan and Resource Documents

 Finance Hub Business Plan 100k

Contact details and website

The Finance Hub
Charities Aid Foundation
St Andrew's House
18 - 20 St Andrew Street
London EC4 3AY

Tel:  020 7832 3014

Email:  plambert@cafonline.org

Web: financehub.org.uk