The Hidden Hurdles: Funding Challenges for Small Community Organisations
Small community interest companies and voluntary organisations form the backbone of our communities, often providing vital support where other bodies cannot reach. Yet these same organisations face significant barriers when attempting to secure the funding they need to survive and thrive.
The Funding Maze
For small organisations like Thriving Connections CIC, focused on community development and support—particularly those working in sensitive areas like end-of-life care and grief support—navigating the funding landscape can feel like wandering through a maze blindfolded. Grant applications are time-consuming processes that drain limited resources from organisations already operating as micro businesses.
Paying to Play
One particular challenge is the commercialisation of funding information. We are fortunate in Birmingham and Solihull to have access to a funding portal through BVSC and CAVA. Yet, many small organisations find themselves having to pay subscription fees to companies that compile and provide access to lists of potential funders. These costs can range from hundreds to thousands of pounds annually—resources that could otherwise be directed toward delivering community support. For organisations like Thriving Connections CIC operating on shoestring budgets, these expenses represent a significant barrier to entry into the larger funding arena.
The Black Hole of Feedback
Perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects of the funding process is the lack of meaningful feedback from unsuccessful applications. Many funders, overwhelmed with applications themselves, provide little to no explanation when rejecting proposals. Without understanding where their applications fell short, organisations cannot learn and improve their approaches. This creates a cycle of trial and error that wastes precious time and resources for both parties.
Uneven Playing Field
Larger organisations often have dedicated funding teams with specialized expertise in crafting compelling applications. Meanwhile, small community interest companies like ours may have a single person wearing multiple hats—delivering services, managing administration, and somehow finding time to complete complex funding applications. This fundamental inequity makes it difficult for smaller organisations to compete, regardless of the quality and importance of their work.
Moving Forward
Despite these challenges, small organisations continue to persevere because the communities they serve depend on them. Funders could help level the playing field by providing clearer guidelines, keeping to timelines, and providing constructive feedback that helps the applicants to improve the quality of their future submissions.
Larger organisations within the voluntary sector could be more proactive in seeking to make more connections and partnerships with smaller organisations to enrichen their funding applications, rather than the onus being the other way round. Perhaps the larger organisations could even explore mentoring the smaller organisations and supporting them with bid writing?
As we continue building compassionate communities, we must recognize that the organisations doing the most vital grassroots work often face the greatest hurdles in securing the funding they need. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges, we can work toward a more equitable funding landscape that truly supports community-led initiatives.
