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Social Impact Gateway
Extending the launch of the Social Impact Gateway
Opening Doors to New Income Opportunities in Medway, Swale and North West Kent
As VCSEF leaders, you know the sector is experiencing an increasingly competitive funding environment, during a period of political, social and economic volatility: Donations and sponsorship levels are decreasing and at the lowest levels recorded by CAF; Reductions in statutory grant and contract funding continue; Health system restructuring and reductions impacting contracted service delivery; Global geopolitics are creating increased economic uncertainty for us all.
Whilst CVSNWK continue to evolve sector services and support to help us all respond to these challenges, there are also new national models of good practice that could further boost our sector’s capacity to generate income – including the Social Impact Gateway (SIG) model that has been developed in partnership by SEK and MVA. In recent weeks, and in light of the imminent Local Government Reorganisation plans, CVSNWK have been exploring extending this pilot area to include North West Kent.
The SIG model gives all sizes of VCSEF groups/organisations access to new funding by amplifying access to business and public sector partners. The Procurement Act 2023 encourages public sector and corporate funders to deliver “public benefit” as part of their contracts. Many want to fund credible, local organisations, but don’t always know where to find you or have capacity to manage the process for multiple grants on a hyper-local basis – the SIG model provides the solution and empowers us all to build stronger communities.
By providing simple, fair and transparent processes and support for local VCSEF groups/organisations to become affiliates with the SIG, the whole sector can gain access to new income opportunities in addition to those they already hold; diversifying their income streams and improving financial resilience in the face of present and future socioeconomic challenges.
CVSNWK are supporting the extension of the SIG pilot - becoming an affiliate of the SIG is free and open to any VCSEF group or organisation in Medway, Swale and now North West Kent. To find out more about the SIG model and to join the SIG, visit: www.mva.org.uk/organisations/SIG.
Why should you sign up today to become an affiliate of the SIG?
- Potential to access new sources of income
- Only need to sign up once, then apply for relevant funding opportunities
- Support from CVSNWK to develop your ‘contract readiness’ status
- Opportunities to build new partnerships with fellow SIG affiliates
- Participate in co-design conversations with buyers and commissioners.