Policy
30 June, 2008
Futurebuilders launches £1million Tender Fund
Interest-free loans to help third sector bid for public sector contracts
Futurebuilders England launched the new £1million Tender Fund today. The fund is in the form of interest-free 3 year loans of between £3,000 and £50,000. It is intended to help third sector organisations win contracts where prohibitive tendering costs would otherwise make it difficult fro them to bid.
Launching the fund, Jonathan Lewis, Chief Executive of Futurebuilders England said -
'We know there are organisations with the skills to bid for and win public sector contracts who simply can’t afford the costs involved in preparing competitive bids.
Our conversations with the sector tell us that providers often need money to fund tendering related costs such as legal bills, financial expertise, staffing backfill and advice from procurement specialists.
We want to be as flexible as possible with the finance we offer and respond to the sector’s needs, so we set up this fund specifically to help address this problem.
We are determined to get as many third sector organisations as possible winning contracts to deliver public services, and we feel this new Fund is one way we can help.'
Commenting on the launch, Phil Hope, Third Sector Minister said -
'Third sector organisations have an important part to play in the Government’s pursuit of excellence in public services. They are particularly good at reaching out to the most disadvantaged people who can sometimes be unwilling to use state services. Charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises can also bring additional benefits to a public service like involving the local community perhaps by using volunteers or employing local people.
I want to support more third sector organisations that would like to be involved in public services to have that opportunity. The new Futurebuilders tender fund is highly innovative and really at the cutting edge of projects designed to help the third sector develop its public service role. I’m sure the sector will make excellent use of the fund.'
For more information, see the Futurebuilders press release Futurebuilders launches new Tender Fund.
See also the related rightsnet policy news stories -
- Cabinet Office announce appointment of ACF to manage Futurebuilders Fund: £215 million to develop public service delivery by third sector (28 January, 2008)
- Third sector to get enhanced role in public service delivery: Future role of sector beginning to take shape (7 December, 2006)
- Voluntary sector gearing up for bigger role in public service delivery: Futurebuilders produce first learning report (14 November, 2005)
