Grants to boost third sector

24th December 2013

Enterprise Ready Fund will help develop and grow third sector organisations.

Enterprising third sector organisations are being encouraged to apply for grant awards of up to �250,000 as part of the Enterprise Ready Fund, John Swinney confirmed today.

Grants will be awarded to third sector organisations with the most sustainable and ambitious business plans.

New, emerging and established organisations have until 16 June 2014 to apply for funding.

The Enterprise Ready Fund will help organisations to develop further, become more efficient and self-sustaining, or diversify and enter into new markets.

Priority is being given to activities that contribute towards the Scottish Government�s Prevention and Welfare Reform agendas.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainability said:�The third sector plays an integral role in our society, providing superb services, creating employment opportunities and connecting with the most vulnerable people in our communities.

�We�ve had a great response to the Enterprise Ready Fund so far and as we look ahead to the New Year, I�m keen to remind organisations to apply for funding. I hope that by investing in the third sector and enhancing its self-sufficiency we can look forward to a future where these organisations play a full role in public sector reform.

�Through this investment successful applicants will be able to rely more on their own resources, be in a position to win more public sector contracts and be able to be more innovative and diversify into new markets.�

The fund is being delivered by a consortium of third sector organisations led by Foundation Scotland in partnership with Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEiS), Developing Strathclyde Ltd (DSL) and the Social Value Lab.

Foundation Scotland�s Chief Executive, Giles Ruck said:�Foundation Scotland has received applications so far from a wide range of organisations and this funding will make a real difference to them and their communities. We�re keen to receive more applications to the Enterprise Ready Fund from third sector organisations needing investment to help them win more contracts, increase sales or become more efficient.

�Our team is happy to speak to potential applicants and we�d encourage people to visit our website or get in touch.�

The Enterprise Ready Fund builds on a number of current strategic contracts and initiatives that the Scottish Government has in place to continue to support a sustainable, capable and enterprising third sector across Scotland. It will distribute �6 million during 2013 to 2015 to help maintain develop and grow enterprising third sector organisations. Grants of up to �250,000 are available to support new, emerging, developing and established organisations to become more self-sustaining and grow.

Further information and full details of the Enterprise Ready Fund can be found at Foundation Scotland - http://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/the-enterprise-ready-fund.aspx

Audio - Cabinet Secretary discusses the fund: https://audioboo.fm/boos/1815010-encouraging-third-sector-expansion