Related resources for funding relationships

This report outlines the steps that can be taken to improve the working relationships between government agencies and community organisations. New Zealand, April 2001.

While some of the ideas on this page on the OCVS website may seem obvious or common courtesy, they are a timely reminder of the importance of strong relationships and open communication during difficult times.  The value of knowing which activities are really making a difference also shines through the advice.

This paper highlights the advantages of joint funding that goes beyond the provision of funds. Collaboration can add value by way of knowledge, skills, contacts and experience across the funding process. Garth Nowland-Foreman.

Partnership for International Community Development is a peer-assessed co-funding scheme for New Zealand NGOs supporting community development activities through in-country partners. The scheme, previously called the Voluntary Agency Support Scheme, is co-managed through a project management committee consisting of elected NGO representatives and an NZAID representative.

The Ministry of Health NGO Desk helps to disseminate information to the health and disability NGO sector and to progress issues facing the sector that are identified at the NGO-MoH Forums. Its primary function is to build on the Framework for Relations between the Ministry of Health and health and disability NGOs.

The remarks of the Chair of the Committee for the Study of the New Zealand Non-Profit Sector on the launch of ‘The NZ Non-Profit Sector in Comparative Perspective’ - undertaken as a part of the International Comparative Non-Profit Sector Project, Johns Hopkins University. The key findings of the research are summarised and some implications for public policy identified. Garth Nowland-Foreman, New Zealand, August 2008.

A clearer picture of how the community and voluntary sector is resourced in New Zealand is now possible. This Statistics NZ report is enabling in-depth analysis of a part of the economy not previously shown separately in our National Accounts. The satellite account was the first time that New Zealand measured the value of the unpaid labour given by volunteers to non-profit institutions. More than one million volunteers gave more than 270 million hours of unpaid labour to non-profit institutions in 2004. When valued at a market wage, voluntary labour boosts non-profit institutions' economic contribution to $6.95 billion or 4.9% of NZ's gross domestic product (GDP). Statistics NZ, 2007.

The Auditor-General's report complements existing guidance about NGO funding arrangements by taking a principles-based approach to guide public entities’ decisions when they enter into funding arrangements with NGOs. It was developed for both the central government and local government sectors.

Delivered to a Victoria University School of Government seminar, this speech by Secretary John Whitehead warns that the public service would fail the New Zealand public if it doesn’t abandon its traditional comfort zone, lift its productivity and do things differently and more efficiently. July 2009.

The Hon. Tony Ryall’s speech to the State Services Senior Leaders Development Conference outlines government priorities and challenges. The priorities are to focus on the front line, providing services with a customer focus and deliver value for money. July 2009.

In 2001, Government signed this statement to demonstrate its commitment to improving funding arrangements with NGOs.

A follow-up report from the NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations, Dec 2007.

This project was developed to provide measures of the work of voluntary organisations, recognising that annual accounts do not adequately reflect the full value these organisations add to social wellbeing and the economy. See also the VAVA project reports below. NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations, Sept 2004.

These reports pull together a range of official government data and statistics from community-based agencies, many of which are continuing to report increased demand for services, particularly food, emergency accommodation and budgeting. Reports show some NZCCSS member agencies reporting unprecedented numbers of people approaching them for help and they are struggling to cope with the additional volumes.  Strategies to manage include introducing waiting lists and reducing client contact time.  Some larger agencies are also receiving more referrals from other smaller community organisations that no longer have any capacity to absorb new work.

Approximately 25% of all non-profit organisations in New Zealand are charities. In 2009, the Charities Register brought together up-to-date information about individual charities for the first time. The Charities Commission aggregated this data to compile a picture of the charitable sector and its work. Although the Commission has not yet received a full ‘cycle’ of Annual Returns; based on the returns received so far, the Commission is projecting the following facts about the charitable sector:- $17 billion tax-exempt income- $2.4 billion donations- $1.5 billion government grants- 130,000 full-time equivalent employees

The report of the Community and Voluntary Sector Working Party. Published by the Ministry of Social Policy, the Working Party (chaired by Dorothy Wilson) published 2001. New Zealand Joint Government and Non-Government.

This website has up-to-date news about community and voluntary organisations in New Zealand. It aims to support community organisations and encourage information-sharing.

This snapshot of how community organisations in Porirua city are faring captures the influence of the 2008/09 economic recession. The report compiles information to assist city organisations, government departments, and Council in their planning, funding and advocacy work. The report attempts to capture the impacts of government policy; but is not intended to be a political statement. The focus of the research was on organisations that provide critical support services to residents and businesses. Nine case studies are provided and the report also summarises the changing nature of community funding. August 2009.

This page lists certain core items for which an NGO must find funding in order to be viable.

Throughout history, the 'welfare of the people' has been a contested area. Is it the responsibility of the state? The churches? The extended family? Organised charities or informal community groups? The Fabric of Welfare is about the many points of contact between voluntary welfare and government social services, and the complex pattern woven by these different threads. By Prof. Margaret Tennant, Massey University, New Zealand, 2007.

This paper from the Ministry of Health, Health and Disability Sector NGO Working Group outlines financial pressures on NGOs, which have implications for their financial viability, the quality of service delivery and the health and wellbeing of their communities. The paper also suggests some possible ways forward. (The link is towards the end of the list of papers from the April forum). NZ Non-Government, March 2005.

This not-for-profit organisation collects and distributes information about funding through three searchable databases.

FINZ is a professional organisation for people who work in fundraising. It provides networking, resources and training for members. FINZ members work with over 200 charities and not-for-profit organisations on local, national and global causes. 

Good funding criteria can be used to help judge the likely success or failure of funding arrangements.  

Government involvement in New Zealand sport spans over 70 years from provisions of the Physical Welfare Act in 1937 to current provisions of the Sport and Recreation Act 2002. Thousands of volunteers in non-profit organisations continue to underpin New Zealand's sport system. Governments frequently use the rhetoric of community cohesion, national pride, life skills and public health benefits to justify its involvement. This thesis examines the impact of government intervention on the sport sector, its funding paradigms and the extent of sector engagement in a policy for sport. Hugh Lawrence, The University of Waikato,2008.

The report of the Community-Government Relationship Steering Group. Published by the Ministry of Social Development, the Steering Group (chaired by Dorothy Wilson) inter alia recommended ways to improve funding and accountability arrangements. New Zealand Joint Government and Non-Government, 2002

Te Puni Kōkiri presented a paper at the 2009 Māori Economic Summit providing a snapshot of, and highlighting the key risks to, the Māori economy in order to inform further work to mitigate these risks. The paper also outlines the key drivers for future change and how some Māori businesses may be placed to take advantage of these trends.

Overview of the literature on contracting and description of the early process of shifting to a contracting regime and its impact in New Zealand. , G Nowland-Foreman, Wellington for NZ Council of Christian Social Services, 1995.

In 2007, Statistics New Zealand's Non-Profit Institutions Satellite Account revealed that more than one million volunteers gave more than 270 million hours of unpaid labour to non-profit institutions in 2004. The Account provides valuable data about the sector.

This half-hour programme on National Radio explored how the recession is affecting the not-for-profit sector. Compiled by Sue Ingram, it features interviews and comments from a wide range of people in the community and government sectors. 2009.

An edited version of Julia Unwin's 2005 Allen Lane Lecture, which explores the role of the voluntary sector as a source of challenge and a legitimate channel for dissent. Julia argues that in addition to the twin roles of running services and building social capital, the voluntary sector has a role in articulating dissent and challenging the status quo, and that organisations that fail to do this are walking away from the dispossessed people they exist to support. Published in September 2005 in Network News by the New Zealand Council for Social Services. NZ Non-Government.

This survey was based on an analysis of 6,811 employees representing 225 organisations - an increase of 77 organisations and almost 2,600 participants over last year. The key finding of the survey is the size of the pay gap between the not-for-profit sector and the broader employment market. The survey also shows that 48.2% of sector staff work part-time.

This collaborative project between government, voluntary sector and academic measured the size and scope of New Zealand’s non-profit sector. Publications from the Study give us greater insight into the nature and importance of the non-profit sector and its volunteers.

A follow-up report from the NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations, Dec 2007.

This project was developed to provide measures of the work of voluntary organisations, recognising that annual accounts do not adequately reflect the full value these organisations add to social wellbeing and the economy. NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations. Sept 2004.

New Zealand Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations explores these topics periodically in its New Dialogue publication. NZ Non-Government, 2008.

Creating the right environment to improve and co-ordinate funding to community social service providers is vital to success. This paper provides suggestions for what a good funding system looks like from a community perspective. Adrian Whale, NZ Council of Christian Social Services, New Zealand. Sign Post, Autumn 2000.

Good funding criteria can be used to help judge the likely success or failure of funding arrangements.

This case study describes how NZAID and NGOs worked together to develop a unique policy framework that sets mutual ground rules for collaborative work.

The Ministry of Health has developed a strategic relationship framework with NGOs that may be useful to other agencies that are developing their relationships with community, voluntary and Māori organisations.

The framework (re-endorsed in 2004) sets out the rationale and guiding principles for relations between NGOs and NZAID. Both parties undertook to further develop guidelines for funding, policy dialogue, and programme cooperation. This revised framework includes detailed annexes on policy and practice relating to funding, and consultation and participation in policy and strategy development. Work on incorporating Treaty of Waitangi principles is underway.   A joint NZAID/NGO Working Group was established in 2005 to oversee and monitor implementation of the framework by NZAID and New Zealand NGOs. New Zealand joint Government and Non-Government, 2004.

This online leaflet, explains how the Asian Development Bank (ADB) works with NGOs. It focuses on the ADB's expectations of encouraging NGOs themselves to continue to explore new ways of working with governments and ADB. International Non-Government (1995)

Cooperation Agreements are one of AusAID's primary mechanisms for partnering with Australian NGOs. This page includes a link to a List of Cooperation Agreements and Periodic Funding Agreements. International Joint Government and Non-Government

A background paper for the Voluntary Sector Initiative Changing Technology Funding Practices project.. The project listened to grantmakers and grantseekers alike, in a series of conversations about the strategic use of technology to achieve the mission work of the voluntary sector. International Joint Government and Non-Government, Canada, 2004.

Published by the British Home Office, the Framework sets out a ten-year vision for building the capacity of frontline organisations and putting in place the infrastructure support they need. It identifies the key actions that should be taken immediately and in the longer term to achieve that vision by 2014.

A Day in the Life is a work shadowing scheme that provides a chance for staff in central government and the voluntary and community sector to step into each other's shoes for a day and learn about how the "other side" operates. Organised by the Department for Communities and Local Government, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) Policy Forum and Compact Voice, it is open to all voluntary and community sector staff in England. United Kingdom, 2009.

The UK National Audit Office’s Decision Support Tool (DST) is designed for people working in the public sector who are responsible for financial relationships with third sector (community and voluntary sector) organisations. The DST is a web-based tool that provides practical support for real-life decisions about the design of appropriate funding models. International Government – United Kingdom, 2006.

In 2007, Dutch civil servants from a number of different departments and ministries met in Den Hague for a week of dialogue studios on addressing complex social problems collaboratively. The Studio focused on two themes: sustainable development and collaboration within the Dutch Civil Service. This report summarises how the meeting involved in-depth learning about practical initiatives, team building, idea creation and planning next steps in the areas of collaboration and sustainable development in the civil service and the Netherlands. International Government, 2007.

The Code seeks to improve funding and procurement relationships to the mutual advantage of the funder and funded, and safeguard the sector’s independence. The Code was for everyone in England involved in distributing, seeking or receiving public funds.

This summary report by the Canadian Council on Social Development documents the changing funding landscape in Canada to assess the impact on the financial capacity and long-term sustainability of non-profit and voluntary organisations.

One of four research studies commissioned by the Aspen Institute Nonprofit Sector Research Fund on funding of core operating costs of non-profit organisations. (Urban Institute, August 2004)

Jeanne Peters' article reprinted from the Non-Profit Quarterly (Fall 2004) on NGO decisions about whether or not to access government funding. International Non-Government, USA, 2004.

UK Treasury guidance to funders and purchasers.The guidance is intended to help government departments, non-departmental public bodies and other funding bodies distributing public money to the third sector. It is also aimed at the third sector, who as recipients of funding, can be able to better understand the considerations that funding bodies need to bear in mind during the funding process. (2006)

The purpose of this resource is to help those who are funding and supporting the voluntary and community sector check their ‘seaworthiness’. The resource is published by the Governance Hub and UK Workforce Hub working in partnership with the Association of Charitable Foundations.  International Non-Government. United Kingdom, 2007.

This paper examines what action is required to enable the community and voluntary sector to continue to make a substantial contribution to the wellbeing of the Northern Ireland community. In particular, it examines the impact of changes to funding programmes.

The UK National Audit Office examines a major theme of government policy, the aspiration for third sector organisations to deliver more public services, through the experiences of 12 of the largest UK charities who together receive £742 million in public funding from a range of public bodies including central government departments, agencies, local authorities and primary care trusts. 2007.

This paper presents findings of a study examining state-voluntary sector inter-organisational relationships, and the capacity of third-sector organisations to exercise autonomy over employment matters in this relationship. It reveals how state-voluntary sector relations are not homogenous and therefore lead to differing implications for employment. In particular, three types of voluntary organisation emerge, employing, with varying degrees of success, various strategies to protect the terms and conditions of their employees in the face of cost-cutting pressures from funding bodies. I Cunningham, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, 2008.

In 2008, the UK Department of Health reviewed all funding and investment to third sector organisations. This includes primary grant funding streams: Section 64 General Scheme of Grants and Opportunities for Volunteering, and other funding through contracts.  The Department invited all third sector organisations and other interested stakeholders to respond to the consultation document, which aimed to develop a strategic framework for the Department of Health's investment in the third sector.  This site includes the response to the consultation process.  United Kingdom, 2008.

Labour and Conservative politicians in the UK give their perspectives on the community and voluntary sector. International media, The Guardian, 11 June 2008.