Funding Services Survey

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Avis Sherman
8 years ago
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1 Funding Services Survey Foreword Throughout September and October 2010 the Authority undertook an online Funding Services Survey. The purpose was to ask a few key questions about this area of work to find out where refinements and improvements could be made. The link to the Survey was circulated to all 380 recipients of our monthly Funding Bulletin. 92 responses were received that equated to an overall response rate of 24%. The online approach was a cost-effective way of undertaking the research. The response was high enough to provide us with some indicative guidance about how we are doing as an organisation. The Funding Bulletin is very useful and I always read it through. It is not only a good way to find out what funding is available but it is also good to see what positive things the funds are being used for. Question 1: Funding Bulletin Design Our Funding Bulletin is a monthly publication that is exclusively circulated to communities and businesses operating in and around Northumberland National Park. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the availability of external funding. It has been designed to be circulated as an embedded rather than as a Word or PDF document attachment. Do you find this format to be user-friendly? The current embedded design is favoured among the recipients of the Funding Bulletin, therefore it will be maintained. Pat on the back for finding your way through the maze of funding there is out there to produce coherent and relevant information at the end! NNPA are brilliant at encouraging projects. Page 1 of 6

The link to the Survey was circulated to all 380 recipients of our monthly Funding Bulletin. 92 responses were received that equated to an overall response rate of 24%.

2 Question 2: Funding Bulletin Effectiveness Overall, how would you rate the usefulness of our Funding Bulletin? The Funding Bulletin is effective, with the vast majority of recipients rating it as either useful or very useful. Very useful and well received, though greater inclusion of a broader range of historic environment funding streams would be extremely useful. Question 3: Funding Bulletin Responsiveness Have any of the alerts featured in the Funding Bulletin prompted you to apply for funds? 16 recipients had applied for funding over the last 12 months while the rest may apply in the future. The question was expandable to share further information. Some of responses included applications to the New LEADER Approach, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Northumberland County Council s Community Chest and various funding pots from Northumberland National Park Authority. We have received good feedback that has helped develop our plans and funding applications. Page 2 of 6

Very useful and well received, though greater inclusion of a broader range of historic environment funding streams would be extremely useful.

Question 4: Funding Bulletin Frequency Funding Bulletins are circulated on the first working day of each month. This is because some funding windows are only open for around eight weeks at a time.

3 Question 4: Funding Bulletin Frequency Funding Bulletins are circulated on the first working day of each month. This is because some funding windows are only open for around eight weeks at a time. In view of this, which of these frequency options best describes how often you'd like to receive our Funding Bulletin? More than 90% of responses felt that the monthly was adequate; therefore this frequency will be maintained. It would be good if you could match us with likely funding sources automatically - i.e. if anything came up relevant to our work you could contact us - otherwise we could miss something. Question 5: Funding Bulletin Style Would you like to see themed Funding Bulletins with a focus on a specific area? For example, climate change, the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) funds, community buildings, Lottery funding, etc. 40% of responses felt that themed Funding Bulletins would be a good idea, compared to 60% that felt the current catch-all approach worked well. Participants were given the opportunity to make suggestions for future themed Funding Bulletins. The most popular choices were climate change, the historic environment and the natural environment. However, it was said that any new approach should not replace the normal Funding Bulletin and should complement it. As a result of this feedback, we will look to trial additional special editions during 2011 on these suggested topics. Page 3 of 6

More than 90% of responses felt that the monthly email was adequate; therefore this frequency will be maintained. It would be good if you could match us with likely funding sources automatically - i.

Question 6: Funding Guide In 2008 Northumberland National Park published a 40-page Funding Guide covering all aspects of bid development through to project management.

4 Question 6: Funding Guide In 2008 Northumberland National Park published a 40-page Funding Guide covering all aspects of bid development through to project management. Have you ever used our Funding Guide to help prepare any bids for funding? If so, did you find it helpful? Those who were aware of the Funding Guide said it was useful in places on some matters, which was what it was designed for. 16 people requested a copy of the Funding Guide as a result of this question. Our Funding Guide may get updated during 2011 to include more information on renewable energy and loan funding. Applying for funding was a daunting task, but the Funding Guide helped us rethink exactly what we were trying to do. Constructive feedback has helped us move forward with plans for more community involvement in the project. Question 7: Sources of Support Were you aware that Northumberland National Park has experienced staff that can help with all aspects of your funding process? For example, project development work, funding searches, guidance from specialist services, form-filling, project implementation support, etc. Already received valued support and continue to access this support from the Community Enterprise Team and Richard Austin as and when needed. Thanks! Page 4 of 6

Those who were aware of the Funding Guide said it was useful in places on some matters, which was what it was designed for.

Question 8: Our Effectiveness If you have received support from our Funding services at Northumberland National Park, how would you rate the help you received?

5 Question 8: Our Effectiveness If you have received support from our Funding services at Northumberland National Park, how would you rate the help you received? 53% of the responses have yet to use our support services. Of those who had utilised the services, 93% rated the support received as either Good or Excellent. Very helpful could not have started business without them or maintained the business for that matter as I keep in touch every few months. The level and depth of knowledge of staff has made life a lot easier - the fact that they are also interested in the local communities makes for a great working relationship. Friendly, approachable, appropriate and helpful. Good one-on-one relationship to work through the funding process. Our group receive a lot of support from Iain Hedley -- thank you. I have no criticism at all. How could anyone, when all they do is help and guide in the right direction and be positive? Support in-hand via Colin Earnshaw. However, not all responses were positive. Some felt that we could do more on genderfocussed activities and offer more support when applying to the New LEADER Approach. The general availability of staff was picked up on as an issue, however it was also noted that we are a small organisation with limited resources, therefore staff would not always be accessible. I've asked several times to meet specific personnel relating to New LEADER Approach bids (which are still awaiting input) and just needing to meet to discuss projects with someone from NNPA. I realise you are not there as a nursery service for projects (maybe you could be?) but an objective, critical and supportive ear would be welcome. Page 5 of 6

Very helpful could not have started business without them or maintained the business for that matter as I keep in touch every few months.

6 Question 9: Final Thoughts Do you have any other helpful or constructive criticisms, comments or suggestions that you would like to share with us with regards to our Funding services? We are a new committee and grateful for the help this service offers. Perhaps a short event each year on-site at a funded project with a short presentation afterwards. Perhaps you could join up with other funders or partners? Could be handy to put like minded people together. With reference to the gender equality duty it would be useful to have statistics that relate to women as beneficiaries of funding as well as disadvantaged groups. Staff take the trouble to find out what the person's/organisation's need is. I think there is much more scope to work closer together with the staff of Hadrian's Wall Heritage in helping communities and businesses develop project ideas and applying for funding as we are both working to similar goals to stimulate the local economy but also to conserve the natural and built landscape which makes this area so special. When I asked Richard for info, it was presented quickly, and even posted to me which was enormously helpful. This responsiveness is vital and most welcome. If it could be matched, or complemented, with regular meetings to discuss project development, that would be excellent: I am the only person in our organisation interested in finance and development, or at least the one with the responsibility. Ongoing support provided is extremely valuable. Thank you. Improved working relationship with Business Link and their funding packages including loans, working with banks, preparation of business plans and financials, engaging with technical expertise, no mention in any Funding Bulletin that Business Link has qualified advisers on similar funds not only in the North East but nationally and even internationally. Sustainable Development Fund applicants should be allowed the opportunity to present their application to the committee. I believe this is one of the most important parts of the National Park Authority and would not like to see cuts in this part of the service as there is excellent staff that will be difficult to replace later if the wrong decision is made now. - Ends - Funding Services 2010 Survey Conducted and compiled by: Richard Austin Funding & Climate Change Officer richard.austin@nnpa.org.uk Page 6 of 6

Perhaps you could join up with other funders or partners? Could be handy to put like minded people together.

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