FUTUREBUILDERS

WHAT IS FUTUREBUILDERS?

Futurebuilders is a new £125 million government investment fund, being run by people from the voluntary sector, which aims to increase the role that the voluntary and community sector plays in the delivery of public services.

Futurebuilders want to help about 250 voluntary and community organisations with investments ranging from around £30,000 to several million, as well as providing development grants of around £10,000 to a number of applicants -to demonstrate that they can deliver better public services to those who need them. You need to decide if the Futurebuilders fund is right for you.

HOW DO I DECIDE IF ITS RIGHT FOR US?

You need to go to the website

www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk

WHEN CAN I APPLY?

Futurebuilders is now open for applications.

The first funding window will run until the 31 October 2004.

  All applications must be completed and submitted online.

Before you start to apply for a Futurebuilders investment, there are three steps you should take:

Step1
Make sure you are eligible for an investment by checking the eligibility guidelines on the website. Futurebuilders can only accept applications from organisations that meet all their criteria. You can print off a copy of this checklist and guidelines, which may be helpful if you need to discuss them with other people in your organisation.

Step2
Download a set of their application questions and guidance notes.

Step3
Go to the websites online eligibility checklist and application form

What will happen to my application?

Your application will be acknowledged by email as soon as they receive it. It will be assigned to an Investment Officer, who will check it against their assessment criteria and decide whether to recommend shortlisting it for full assessment.  He or she may telephone you at that point to ask for clarification or more information.

If your application is shortlisted for full assessment, they will ask you for more detailed information, including a Business Plan. After that, your Investment Officer may arrange to visit you with one of their Business Consultants.

When your Investment Officer has all the necessary information, he or she will compile a report for submission to Futurebuilders, who will consider proposals and make recommendations to the Board.

Where can I get help?
Futurebuilders is an innovative and challenging way of investing in the voluntary and community sector. We are constantly learning from the whole process and we realise that potential applicants will have a lot of questions to ask us.

You can email  info@futurebuilders-england.org.uk with any queries or comments you may have. Please do not use the email enquiry service to send them detailed project proposals.