The event was an opportunity to speak in person to funders about ideas that you have for future projects, learn about current funding programmes and also speak to VAL staff about how we can help you to identify funding and structure applications or any other support your organisation might need.
83 representatives from 62 various local voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations attended the event that was held over a four and a half hour session. Attendees had the chance to meet with VAL staff to discuss their pitch and speak with the relevant funders that they wished to discuss their projects with.
A total of 7 funders were present: BBC Children in Need, Lloyds Bank Foundation, National Lottery Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund: Reaching Communities, Severn Trent Community Fund, Sport England and The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
We also had three stallholders present: Ethical Property Foundation, easyfundraising and Oadby & Wigston District Council.
Voluntary Action LeicesterShire staff were also available to discuss anything related to training, group development and volunteer recruitment.
The event went really well, overall organisations were grateful to have the opportunity to have funders listen to their ideas, gain tips and network. We noticed that some of the larger funding pots were more popular with longer queues, VAL staff took the time to re-route organisations to different funds and talk through their grant in more detail while they waited.
Some feedback from attendees:
“I want to say a big thank you for the event yesterday. I thought everyone from VAL who was there did a really good job directing us and also keeping track of who was in each queue. The direction was really needed and well delivered, so thank you! I had some really good conversations with funders and it was very useful”
“Thank you for hosting yesterday’s event. The advice you gave over the phone beforehand was really useful, enabling us to target the most appropriate funder first. As with any event of this kind, there is no telling how long you will have to wait to see someone, that’s just how it is. It was a good job The Lottery had two people on, but even then there was a bit of a wait. The venue was lovely and parking was easy. We’ll definitely keep in touch regarding future funding opportunities”
“Thank you for putting on such events to help folk. Knowing where to go for funds can be a daunting task to take on. And some contacts you would never thing of going to. For future organisational points we did find the noise level difficult so perhaps more room between tables and a better queuing system might help”