Annual Review

	FINE Staff
	Project Manager – Linda Whitfield Research and Information Officer – Diana Wright Training Development Officer – Catherine Moralee Admin Officer - Tony Youll
	FINE Management
	FINE is managed by Gateshead Voluntary Organisations Council (GVOC) and has a Development Group which meets quarterly. Development Group members: David Francis – Community Action Northumberland Carole Howells - Newcastle CVS Gillian McDonough – Sunderland CVS Gev Pringle - GVOC, (Chair) Allyson Stewart - South Tyneside CVS Joanne Laverick – Durham RCC Jan Worters - North Tyneside VODA
	Chair’s Statement
	FINE’s Annual Review of 2007 – 2008 yet again reveals what an excellent and valued service the project delivers to the region. Even in a difficult funding climate for infrastructure initiatives FINE has continued to flourish and expand its services to the sector. I am particularly pleased to commend the work of the training officer. This work proved that much progress could be achieved by a small investment in a dedicated training project for funding advisors. The on-line database has proved a success and a recent survey of members has revealed a depth of support for FINE that would be the envy on many voluntary sector initiatives. As I stated last year I remain impressed with the quality and dedication of the staff and the service they deliver. Gev Pringle Director GVOC.
	Introduction	top ^^
	Throughout 2007-2008 FINE’s work continued at quite a hectic pace, both at a regional and national level. This work cemented FINE’s standing as a model of excellence. The year also saw the launch of a new funding database. During 2007-2008 FINE was supported by the following funders: The Hadrian Trust The Joicey Trust The Sir James Knott Trust RW Mann Trust Northern Rock Foundation The Rothley Trust The 1989 Willan Charitable Trust One NorthEast ChangeUp / Capacitybuilders The National Finance Hub
	New Initiatives	top ^^
	FINE remained a member of the National Funding Advice Agencies Partnership, together with Fit4funding West Yorkshire, Charities Information Bureau Wiltshire, South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau, NAVCA and Institute of Fundraising. Building on its previous successful work around training delivery and research in to funding advice, the Partnership secured a grant from the National Finance Hub to establish a national funding advisers network as well as develop ways to increase the quality of funding advice across England. FINE led on the development of a competency framework for funding advisers and a quality mark in funding advice and jointly led on the development of level 4 training modules. Over the last twelve months FINE’s strategic work has increased. As well as having a place on the Regional Compact Working Group, FINE was also invited to be a part of the Third Sector Strategic Forum. This Forum has been established by Government Office for the North East to provide them with the mechanism to discuss government policy and its impact on the Third Sector in the North East. As well as FINE, the Forum partners are, VONNE, BECON and NESEP. 2007 saw the creation of infrastructure consortia across the region. FINE became a member of the Regional Infrastructure Consortium (RIC). Each consortium had to develop a business plan based on the needs of the sector in each geographic area. FINE carried out a consultation with North East funding advisers and as a result the work of FINE was seen, by RIC members, as integral to the development of the Third Sector. They recommended FINE to Capacitybuilders as a priority project for funding until 2011. “A regional, central resource for funding information provision enables information on regionally relevant issues and funding sources to be filtered down. It is beneficial to funding advisers as it is a time saver and allows them to concentrate on giving funding advice rather than spending time researching new and changing funding opportunities.” A decision is due sometime in the first half of 2008.
	Information Services	top ^^
	The 5^th edition of The North East Guide to Grants for Individuals was published in January 2008. This specialist book and database provides information on funding for individuals in need and is popular with charitable and statutory sector agencies. Thanks must go to Greggs Trust who have been long term supporters of this directory. In January 2008 research began on the 10^th edition of The North East Guide to Grants for Voluntary Organisations. FINE’s information bulletins, News You Can Use and Grants Bulletin, continued to be regarded as vital services, allowing Third Sector organisations and funding advisers to keep up to date with a wide range of funding opportunities. An evaluation was carried out amongst subscribers to the Grants Bulletin. Just over 30% of subscribers responded. Of those respondents, 100% find the six weekly bulletins very useful or useful. “The Bulletin...is a very valuable asset”. “Well produced (and) very informative” FINE is committed to offering, relevant, quality, comprehensive funding information services to the Third Sector in the North East. In October 2007, as a result of a grant from One NorthEast, FINE launched The North East Third Sector Funding Opportunities Database. Not a title that trips off the tongue easily, which is why at FINE we refer to it as NETSFOD. This database, which is still evolving, provides information on funding programmes from local and central government, lottery distributors, loan giving organisations as well as charitable trusts and foundations. It will allow the sector to lever in a diverse range of funding and play an integral part in, not only, delivering the outputs within the Regional Economic Strategy but also engaging with the new ways of working currently encouraged by government. In the short period since its launch there are over 100 users accessing the database. At the end of the financial year 783 users subscribed or had purchased one or more of FINE’s information services. During the year 2007-2008 FINE staff dealt with over 300 enquiries around various funding related issues.
	Support to Funding Advisers	top ^^
	FINE continued to facilitate the North East Funding Advice Workers Network (FAWN) meetings. These meetings provide funding advisers with the opportunity to meet together to share information, knowledge and best practice, as well as meet with a wide variety of funders. Funding for FINE’s Training Development Officer and training programme for funding advisers was provided by ChangeUp / CapacityBuilders. Four advisers from the North West and seven from the North East achieved their level 3 certificates after completing FINE’s Giving Funding Advice course. Eight one day professional development courses were organised covering a diverse range of topics such as Charity Accounts, Social Enterprise, Tax Effective Giving and Business Planning. An average of nine funding advisers attended each course. FINE’s support to funding advisers, through the FAWN and the training programme, remains at the core of FINE’s work. During the aforementioned RIC consultation with FAWN members the need for this support was very evident: “Quality standards are important and regional organisations such as FINE ensure that funding information provision, training, peer support and on going professional development are readily available to local funding advisers. Having an active Funding Advice Workers Network within FINE further feeds in to providing quality advice service. A regional level FAWN is the most effective to ensure that discussions / meetings are relevant.” However at the end of March 2008 we sadly had to say goodbye to Kate Moralee, FINE’s Training Development Officer, due to the end of funding. The difference Kate made to FINE’s ability to provide a more comprehensive training programme was immense. We all wish her well in her new job. If further funding for training and support cannot be secured the impact on the region’s funding advisers and the sector in general will be great. Valuable support and professional development for funding advisers will be lost and may impact on the quality of funding advice available to Third Sector organisations in the North East.
	Developing and maintaining links with Funders	top ^^
	The Project Manager continued to provide regular updates to the North East Trust Secretaries Group (NETSG). FINE also continued to provide secretariat support to the North East Funders Forum. Once again a series of successful, well attended, seminars were arranged, providing statutory and charitable funders with opportunities to network and discuss a wide range of topics. These included, The Local Government White Paper, grant impact measurement, performance management, procurement and infrastructure funding. A planned Equality and Diversity conference was postponed until Spring 2008. FINE’s attendance at the NETSG meetings and its support to the Funders Forum emphasises its role as a conduit between the funders and the VCS.
	Income and Expenditure	top ^^
	FINE ended the year with its finances in good order. The Project continued to be well supported by local funders as well as securing additional funding from One NorthEast, Capacitybuilders and The National Finance Hub. Income generated from the information services contributed towards maintaining the Project’s core costs. As with all infrastructure organisations, the scarcity of relevant funding programmes means that FINE faces 2008 with a lot of trepidation. We are, however, determined to build on FINE’s strengths, reputation and partnerships so that the Project survives and continues to be a centre of excellence for funding information and support to the North East. The support and positive feedback received from Third Sector organisations, funding advisers and local trusts has been overwhelming. Everyone involved with FINE extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation. Here’s to a successful future! A full financial statement is available on request.