Sustainability and Funding Advice
Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSE) may be anxious about finances and funding at this time, as well as worried for individuals.
How do you know if your organisation is sustainable?
- Do you have a diversified mix of funding?
- Do you have a properly managed cashflow?
- Have you got a Fundraising Plan or Strategy
Support is available.
Funding & Development Surgeries
Community Action Suffolk offer ‘free’ virtual bespoke 1-1 funding & Development surgeries.
These are led by you and can cover a range of topics as required:
- Assistance with developing a project idea into a compelling bid
- Identifying appropriate funding opportunities with key contacts across the County
- Specialist practical support in developing a funding plan & fundraising strategy
- Demonstrating Proof of Need & Outcomes
- How to engage with your community
- Support with writing a robust application
- Check/Read & Review service
- Reviewing of finances which may have been compromised as a result of the Covid-19 emergency.
“Thank you again, Louise; so good to have proper professional advice. I am grateful for your help.
“We wouldn’t have been able to get our project to its current phase without your support”
“I just wanted to thank you for your time, help and support. You gave me lots of ideas and great advice, my head is still spinning and brimming with ideas”

Funding Available
We are all too aware that many of Suffolk’s voluntary sector fundraisers are often a one man band, operating from their dining room tables and holding up some of our most vital services in the County.
For the most up to date funding available at the current time search the Funding4Suffolk portal.
For a ‘broadbrush’ search of funds available to Suffolk organisations take a look here.
Training & Development
Click on the courses below to read about our current training.
“Just a quick note to thank you for a an absolutely superb training course. I am a newbie to the space and as such, I took no less than 8 pages of notes! I can honestly say that it was one of the most informative -and above all actionable – training courses that I have ever attended”
Financials in Focus
Did you know that cashflow is normally the largest cause of organisation failure? Is your financial position strong enough to sustain your operations?
Join us on these short ‘Financials in Focus’ sessions. Click the titles to read more.
- Cash Flow Management
- Budget Management & Control
- Reserves Management
Funder in Focus
Funder in Focus
Come and join us on the Funder in Focus events where we put some of our best loved funders in sharp focus.
We discuss the programmes, the process, the eligibility & what the grants panel will be looking for to constitute a successful submission. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions, float ideas and to interrogate the fund in more depth.
Impact, Strategy & Planning
What impact do you want to make? Planning and strategies set out what impact you want to have, how you will do this, over what timeframe, what income you need to carry out your services & more importantly where this will come from. If you need practical support on organisational planning contact us!
Other Advice and Information
Contact Information
Louise Fairbrother
Financial Sustainability Officer (Tuesdays (All day), Thursday Mornings & All day Fridays)
Tel: 01473 345400
Mobile: 07990 576892
Email: louise.fairbrother@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
Twitter: @Funding4Suffolk
Sarah Lomasney
Social Investment Officer
Tel: 07391 419887
Email: sarah.lomasney@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
Twitter: @socialinvestCAS