News from the Baring Foundation

 

New Publications
Report on Activities 2008: this describes in detail our activities as well as including a financial summary of audited accounts. Click here to download a copy.

The First Principle of Voluntary Action: essays on the independence of the voluntary sector from government in Canada, England, Germany, Northern Ireland, Scotland, United States of America and Wales edited by Matthew Smerdon The current focus of the Baring Foundation's Strengthening the Voluntary Sector grants programme is on helping voluntary organisations to maintain their independence from government. The independence of voluntary action is a principle that has clear resonance in many other societies, in the UK, in Europe and across the Atlantic. The Baring Foundation commissioned essays from authors in seven countries to review issues relating to independence from government. Together, the essays confirm that independence is fundamental to the principle and practice of voluntary action. They explore the many ways in which independence can be threatened and power exercised over voluntary action. Finally they share lessons about what voluntary organisations can do to protect their independence. We no longer have any hard copies of this report. Click here to download a copy.

The Effective Foundation: a literature review by David Cutler. In recent years a number of authors especially in the USA but also in the UK and the rest of Europe have addressed the unique position of foundations and how this best be utilised for achieving maximum impact. Much of the key literature is considered and ten conclusions drawn. Click here to download a copy.

Arts and Older People
In October 2009 the Baring Foundation will launch a new funding programme giving core costs grants to arts organisations in the UK working with older people. We plan to spend a total of around £3 million in 5 annual rounds. The first grants will be made in June 2010. We will publish a mapping report in September 2009 looking at current practice in this field. If you work for an arts organisation that works in this area we would be keen to hear from you. Please email David Cutler on: david.cutler@uk.ing.com

Strengthening the Voluntary Sector - independence programme 2009 and 2010
The Foundation will not be inviting applications to the STVS - independence programme in 2009. This is because the trustees felt that the high quality of the applications to the 2008 programme justified bringing forward funding allocated to 2009. We anticipate inviting applications for what will be the last year of the STVS – independence programme in 2010. More details will be posted on this web-site at the beginning of 2010. You can see details of successful grant applicants in 2008 by clicking here. To see grants approved under this programme in previous years click here.

Interculturality - Awards
The Baring Foundation is running a Special Initiative to promote intercultural dialogue. A major element of this is the creation of awards to reward good practice at the local level. These awards are being run by the Institute of Community Cohesion and funded by us. They are called the 'Awards for Bridging Cultures'. Awards were given at the Royal Society for Arts in London on 26 November 2008. The winning projects were:

Limeside and Clarkwell Linking Project, a community linking project between two very different council estates in Oldham;

Shoreditch Festival, a project run by the Shoreditch Trust to share culture and connect communities through the arts;

FolesHillfields Vision Project, which works in Foleshill and Hillfields, two diverse, disadvantaged Coventry neighbourhoods.

Further details about the winners and the runners up can be found by going to the dedicated website www.bridgingcultures.org.uk . Given the success of the first year, the Baring Foundation has commissioned the Institute of Community Cohesion to repeat these awards in 2009. The application process for awards for 2009 is now open and full details are now available on the same dedicated website.
See also the Special Initiatives page of our website by clicking here

New Self Assessment Tool for the Independence of Voluntary Organisations
As part of our Strengthening the Voluntary Sector programme on independence we have produced a self assessment questionnaire and resource list. It has been launched in collaboration with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and you can download a copy by clicking here