A New Era for Non-Profits

The Not-for-Profit sector in Buckinghamshire will be transformed under a new initiative aimed at improving the sustainability of our charities and community groups and increasing entrepreneurship within the county

8 Steps to Earning is a pioneering programme which gives local non-profits an exciting opportunity to receive intensive marketing training and the support of a mentor for six months as they launch a revenue-generating product or service.

The project is part of the Community Support for Bucks Partnership* and will be delivered by the charity, Community Impact Bucks.

It’s predicted that £330 million will be cut from voluntary sector funding by 2016* meaning many third sector organisations are now turning to trading as a means of survival.

Product Development Facilitator at Community Impact Bucks, Stacey Astley, believes a more commercial approach will enable groups to better fulfil their charitable purpose:

‘At a time when having a worthy cause no longer guarantees success, we want to ensure that voluntary and community groups in Bucks have a positive future; and for many, that means diversifying income streams. You don’t need to be Richard Branson to run a successful enterprise-opportunity lurks within every organisation and this programme aims to uncover that hidden earning potential’

Once launched, the new products will feature on XchangeBucks.org.uk, an online portal which links the commercial and non-profit sectors and facilitates trade between local enterprises.

Applications are now open for the inaugural programme, which will be held at the Clare Charity Centre in Saunderton on Tuesday 28th October. Anyone interested in participating either as an organisation or a Charity Mentor can contact Stacey@communityimpactbucks.org.uk or 01844 348 845.