Council for Voluntary Services

If you are considering setting up a new group or are considering seeking funding for a new project it is worth contacting your local Council for Voluntary Services (CVS). They have information and support available for local community groups.

In England – National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
In Wales – Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)

FunderFinder

FunderFinder is a small UK charity that produces software and other resources, mainly for grant-seekers. Some of the items are free, and others are charged for, although many people use the software in a library or via a local CVS.

The FunderFinder website also provides links to many charitable trusts.

Social Firms UK

A social enterprise is a business that trades for a social purpose, and a Social Firm is one type of social enterprise. Other types of social enterprise include development trusts, cooperatives, credit unions and community businesses.

The specific social purpose of a Social Firm is to employ people disadvantaged in the labour market. Visit the Social Firms UK website to find out more.

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)

A good source of up-to-date information on legislation for businesses. The website offers a number of free publications to download or mail order. Visit the BERR website.

Business Link


This website has a good selection of information for people who need to know more about starting a business, employing people, sales and marketing, growing a business and other business-related information. Visit Business Link’s website.

Business Support Wales

Business Support Wales is the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘flexible support for business website’, offering free, impartial information for businesses in Wales. Visit the Business Support Wales website.

Funding and equality

In 2003, the Disability Rights Commission published a document called Guide for Funders: Addressing the Rights and Requirements of Disabled People within the Funding Process. This is aimed at funding organisations, and contains useful evidence and advice on how the funding process should be conducted according to principles of equality. It can be downloaded from the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s website.