Fund Gloucestershire

Sector: Charities & not-for-profit organisations

Fund Gloucestershire is a registered charity providing grant administration and fund stewardship services for Gloucestershire’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, founded by charity trustee Paul Hooper and former Barnwood Trust CEO Sally Byng.

Through its simple technology platform, Fund Gloucestershire connects VCSE organisations and community groups with a wide range of funders, including local authorities, charitable foundations and private donors.

“The platform is for anyone who wants to give money to the voluntary sector as well as those looking to apply for funding,” says Hooper, who is a trustee of several Gloucestershire charities.

The charity and its platform were developed in response to the challenges many charities face in securing funding. The initiative was inspired in part by Gloucestershire Funders, a partnership established during the pandemic and in part by listening to the challenges that VCSE organisations were facing in both applying for and holding funds.

“We’re working to make access to funding simpler, faster and more efficient,” says Hooper. “By simplifying the process of applying for funding, we want to ensure every £1 donated has the greatest possible impact, with as much of it as possible going directly towards delivering services in Gloucestershire.”

How did Willans help?

To establish the charity, Hooper enlisted the support of Willans’ charity law specialist Charlotte Cowdell, who advised on the most appropriate legal structure and supported the registration of Fund Gloucestershire as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). She guided the charity through the Charity Commission application process, advised on governance requirements and worked closely with Hooper and Byng to ensure the charity’s governing document reflects its objectives and how it will operate.

Having a single legal adviser throughout the process gave the team at Fund Gloucestershire confidence and continuity and helped the charity to navigate the registration process and meet the Charity Commission’s requirements.

“Charlotte’s expertise in charity law and her understanding of the sector have been invaluable in helping us get to where we are today,” says Hooper. “Good legal advice is essential, particularly as the Charity Commission’s requirements continue to evolve. We also believe in supporting local organisations wherever we can, which is why we’ve worked with Willans. I’ve also used the firm for personal legal matters, so I know first-hand the quality of the advice they provide.”

“Helping charities establish strong legal and governance foundations from the outset is incredibly important,” says Cowdell. “Taking the time to get the structure and governing document right means trustees can focus on delivering their charitable objectives and be confident that they have the right legal and governance framework in place. It’s been a pleasure to support Paul and Fund Gloucestershire as the organisation has developed, and it’s fantastic to see the platform now live and connecting charities with funding opportunities.”

The outcome

Now officially registered and with its technology platform launched, Fund Gloucestershire is focused on growing its network of funders and helping more VCSE organisations and community groups across Gloucestershire access the funding they need to deliver vital services. As a trustee of Barnwood Trust, Hope for Tomorrow and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Hooper remains committed to giving back to Gloucestershire and strengthening our county’s voluntary sector.