Bury Voluntary Community & Faith Alliance

Who we are

VCFA provides a wide range of services for VCF organisations, and volunteers in Bury. Our aim is to enhance community and voluntary action  through a resilient VCF sector that actively collaborates to support  residents and local communities.

Support

1. Development Support – Funding, quality assurance, advice, mentoring, business planning, policies, procedures, governance, legal and financial issues etc.
2. Information Dissemination – Provide a 2-way dialogue between the VCF and stakeholders; disseminating information to the VCF and feedback to stakeholders from the VCF.
3. Commissioning Support – Act as a Lead Consortia Provider to help VCF organisations secure tendering opportunities and support VCF consortia and delivery partnerships development. 
4. Representation – advocate the interests of the VCF at a strategic level in partnerships and networks locally, regionally across Greater Manchester
5. Volunteering – promote volunteering, and promote volunteering opportunities, and a brokerage service matching volunteers to suitable vacancies.
6. Income Generation – Help the VCS source and secure funding from a range of national sources including Trusts; foundations; lottery and the private sector

VCFA enhances local community and voluntary action by supporting and developing the capacity of Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCF) organisations in Bury to provide support and deliver quality services.

In addition we ensure effective strategic engagement with our statutory partners and forge alliances with local businesses and communities

Services include

1. Organisation Development Support – Advice on how to better manage and run your organisation 
2. Funding Database - Provide access to funding available nationally
3. Good Practice Guides – on line self help guides on governance; finance; management  business planning
4. Volunteering Support – help recruit volunteers and promote volunteering
5. Lead contractor – Act as a consortium lead to secure tenders and help smaller groups 
6. E-newsletter – Keep the VCF sector up to date on local issues and funding opportunities
7. Strategic Representation – Act as the voice of the VCF at strategic meetings and networks in Bury and Greater Manchester
8. Grant Funds – Manage local grant funds to provide local finding opportunities e.g.
9. Bury Community Fund – Develop a local grant funding pot through Corporate Social Responsibility partnerships with the private sector