What do funders need to know and how can they make a bigger difference funding ICT?

There may be an argument for seeking ICT funding to gear up for sustainability, or for that stage where a charity hits the cusp and has to become grown-up in a hurry - in which case, I'd be looking to funders who are interested in infrastructure, sector development or some such.

ICT in itself is hard to find funding for, but the things that can be achieved by good systems are often much easier to sell. Computers are tools, rather than ends in themselves.

My two-penn'orth

Cheers

Gerry

Gerry Beldon FInstF
Director, 26-01 CIC
www.26-01.com

Hello Simon,

have you had any feedback from your Briefing regarding funding ICT?
I have recently joined a small charity where they have no database whatsoever. I am still trying to convince the trustees that it is a very worthwhile investment, as it can have immediate and long-term benefits.
I am looking for a trust that might be happy to fund our first database. It would be interesting to find out about your briefing where I could perhaps get some ideas to support my case!
Many thanks.
Catherine

Thanks for that Sandre.
Thought-provoking and informative. Must show it my manager before her gets the idea of wiring the building up for computers.

(For those who don't know, I do work for a small family - therefore independent - grantmaking trust)

The question gets even more complex if you consider that funding could come in varying 'strands' - the two major ones probably being a) IT for central administration b) IT for use in projects with a client group.

a) IT for central administration
Our 'line' on this is that we will contribute towards ICT costs in accordance with ACEVO's full cost recovery principles (i.e pay costs proportionate to our funding and the organisation's overall income). I think it is 'fair' to expect this policy from any statutory grantmaker (whatever the sum of funding - see Voluntary Sector Compact) and from any independent funder who is contributing a significant proportion of the organisation's overall income. For example, in a start up project, where we may be the first major funder (by which I mean that our grant may trigger the threshold for a community group's charitable registration) we would be prepared to consider a grant for purchasing IT. For a larger organisation, the proportion of our grant that could be allocated to IT would be smaller as we would expect to be sharing those costs with the organisation's other funders.

b) IT for use in projects with a client group
We don't just ask "What's the need?" but also "What's the aspiration?" (this goes for any activity, but particularly ICT training which has unfortunately been elevated into a 'cure for all ills' in some quarters)

When talking about need, the actual physical needs of the group should also be taken into consideration. It would be more sensible to get someone on the streets into long-term accommodation and address addiction/health needs before teaching them to surf the Internet. Or (given the "C") - teach an asylum seeker English so they can communicate their other needs before teaching them how to use an electronic accountancy package.

In terms of aspiration, from experience with a previously funded project, it's all very well saying that, for example, young people without access to a home PC 'need' a charity to deliver an ICT project in order for them not to miss out on opportunities. Unfortunately, if the young people (or whoever in the client group) don't aspire to learning and using ICT, then outcomes are doubtful. We would seek evidence of client consultation and 'demand' - preferably by meeting representatives from that group ourselves - before agreeing funding for a project of this nature. Of course excluded/at risk young people should have the same opportunities for learning ICT as those from better off families. However, they may have greater needs before ICT skills will be of true value to them.

In my opinion, a responsible funder will take both needs and aspirations into account in terms of responsibility for maximising the 'social return' on their investment. There are limited opportunities for expert programmers if they are cold turkey from heroin in prison.

Hi James

Ideally we want to cover a broad a range as possible but in reality we would be aiming at the medium to large funders (and bring along the smaller ones if possible). The briefing will be targeted at different 'types' of funders as well from foundations to corporates and government.

[quote]What would make a difference to the way funders approach grant applications including ICT funding or applications solely for ICT funding?[/quote]
The obvious question is "which funders?" Are you trying to cover the whole range from £200 a year family trusts to the Gates philanthropic conglomerate?

Sorry Martin. Information communications technology (which is just IT by a different name with an added emphasis on communications).

Sorry, feeling a bit thick this morning.
Whats ICT? Might know it by its full name, or maybe not come across it at all.