Community Response Fund sees more innovation
The fourth round of the Community Response Fund is now underway with the final date for applications due by 2 July 2010.
A summary of Round Three, which closed in February, has been released with approvals for applications that show innovative responses to the economic downturn more than doubling since Round Two.
The Community Response Fund was created by Government in response to the impact of the international financial crisis of 2008-09. It recognises that the subsequent recession has placed additional pressures on key, front-line community-based social services.
Administered by Family and Community Services, the fund provides grants for 12 months or less, and is aimed specifically at critical community-based social services experiencing severe financial difficulties or significantly increased demand. It also seeks to encourage organisations that have developed an innovative response to needs associated with the economic downturn.
In rounds one and two, well over 60 per cent of approved applications were in response to increased demand for services. This figure dropped in Round Three to just over half, while innovative applications jumped from just over 6 per cent in Round Two to 20 per cent.
In all, there were 220 applications received between September 2009 and 5 February 2010 for Round Three. Nine of these were from national organisations. Around 30 per cent were from agencies not currently funded by the Ministry of Social Development to provide social services.
Of the 220 applications received, 60 per cent were recommended for approval.
The third round retained most of the same panel members from previous rounds, meaning they had a good knowledge of fund requirements and could better assess applications.
They agreed that their assessments had improved, because they were given more time to deliberate.
Panel members also noted that a number of health-funded providers had attempted to redefine service delivery as Social Support Services in order to qualify for the fund.
While communication was clearer via the website and MSD networks, panel members said that there were a number of organisations (particularly education and health organisations) not previously known to the Ministry that did not meet the criteria or provide a strong case for funding. The Ministry has listened to this input and as a result criteria for managing Education and Health applicant organisations will be clarified for subsequent rounds.
Successful applicants of Round Three are being notified this month. Meanwhile, regional panels will meet to consider Round Four applications in August with successful applicants due to be notified by October.
