Reducing grant reliance:our journey of change

Big Assist National Conference, 25th February 2016

What is Interlink?

Membership organisation for Orthodox Jewish VCOs 200 member organisations Governing Board made up of elected member organisations Offices in London and Manchester 15 employees

What does Interlink do?

We exist to serve our members and do this through:• INTERNAL FACING services to members• EXTERNAL FACING outreach to the public sector and wider VCS• INCUBATION and facilitation of new community services• LEADING consortia

Impetus for change

Impetus for change came around 2009. Main drivers were: Sticking with grant funding model was no longer viable. “Status Quo

not an option” External environment was changing not only for Interlink but for our

members – greater demand for services but less grant funding. The wider political/economic climate presented not just threats but

opportunities (interest in the Big Society, local authorities outsourcing more)

Our options for change

Our consultancy and training support to members would have to become self-sustaining

We could create a self-sustaining subsidiary to bid for grants and contracts on behalf of consortia of member organisations

Only our policy and voice work could continue to be grant funded

Managing the change process – charging for services

Consulting with members on introducing charges for services – Do they want paid-for services? How much are they prepared to pay? How do we ensure affordability and what happens when small groups needing services can’t pay for them?

Supporting staff through the change

Adapting organisation infrastructure and systems

Managing the change process – establishing a subsidiary for consortium bids

Recognising and managing legitimate concerns of members about:

Not competing against members for funding - we adopted the principle of additionality

Transparency of processes for funding allocations

Critical success factors

A strong Board that sees the bigger picture

Very high quality of service that members will pay for

Retain the strong value base of our service – interests of our members and end-beneficiaries takes precedence

Evidence of success

Services have been sustained and grown

Amount of income generated has grown

Consultancy service has started to develop ‘products’

Invested in additional staff

Very high user satisfaction and recorded impact

Moving on – how we want to grow

Develop a wider service offer for our members, including financial services, website development and so forth

Increase proactivity of our approach

Extend the marketing of ‘products’

Develop more partnerships with trusted third parties

Continue to drive up quality by increased team working