Our charitable status enables us to seek external funding for community activities that support our aims.
bpha
is more than just about housing. We deliver and support a diverse range of services; employment support, sports and learning activities for both young and older residents, and computer clubs to introduce technology to the over 50s. All of these initiatives enhance our residents' quality of life and benefit the wider community. Over the last eight years, bpha has been awarded around £3.5 million in non-traditional grants.
Funding Accountability
bpha is accredited with the quality standard ISO9001, Investors in People and the Housing Corporation accreditation Investors in Communities. Our code of fundraising practice is set out in our fundraising policy.
Funding awarded to bpha is treated as restricted funding and is managed away from bpha's core housing business. Where grants have been awarded to the association for projects of up to five years, bpha's accountability to funders, and the need to manage those funds and to monitor and evaluate projects does, of course, continue over this period. So good "funder relations" are critical to the success of the fundraising function for confidence in the association to be maintained.
The Community Development Team also provides fundraising support to resident groups interested in developing their own community projects. We would like to acknowledge the following awards:
Funders and partnership working
bpha’s Community Development Team would like to acknowledge the following awards;
European Social Fund ESF Co Finance with Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Council
An additional £95,000 to add to £204,150 awarded between 2008 and 2010 which will extend our project creating sustainable employment opportunities for housing association tenants across Bedfordshire.
The Department for Work & Pensions – Future Jobs Fund – Administered through Bedford Borough Council
£10,500 allowed us to provide a 6 month community development work placement for a long term unemployed young person.
£800 to teach a mix of ballroom and street dance to young people over a 10 week period, with an end of course Showcase for them to show off their new talents to friends and families.
Bedford Borough Council
Street Cred Youth Opportunities Fund
£3,813,to fund activities at the newly developed Offa Road multi use games area in Cauldwell, Bedford.
£1800 value of transport tokens to transport young people to activities in and around Bedford Borough.
EEDA Economic Participation – Via Bedford Borough Council and Administered through The Learning Partnership Bedfordshire and Luton
£14,500 to provide informal training for residents.
Fundraising support is also provided to residents’ groups to enable them to develop their own projects locally. Successes have included:
Waitrose Community Matters
£360 towards for Golden Gardens
House of Industry Estate
£3900 towards training costs and equipment for the Golden Gardens residents group.
Northampton Community Foundation
£1600 towards the cost of a Chair Based Exercise tutor for residents living in a bpha retirement scheme in Daventry
Northampton County Councils Youth Opportunities Fund
Awarded £9,336 for Southbrook Youth Clubs 1st year
Anonymous
£3994 towards the costs for Southbrook Youth Club
Bedford Borough – Councillor’s Ward Fund
£500, toward the costs for a makeover of Bents Close Community Garden.
£2000 towards the costs for Kingsbrook & Cauldwell in Bloom
The Bedford Charity
£12,500 for Citizens Advice Bureau surgeries at Faldo Road Bedford Community House until November 2012.