As we are getting back into the full swing of 2021, the FSI would like to keep you updated with some news and opportunities to support you and your charity to start the new year right.

Survive and Thrive 2021
Charity excellence framework has had a major upgrade to provide the free tools, help and support charities need to manage the charity crisis. Survive & Thrive gives you the tools, help and support you need to make 2021 a great year for your charity, despite the crisis; everything is free. See here more more details.

Free 90-minute Webinars for small charities
Don’t miss out our January 90-minute webinar sessions from 20th to 22nd January. The topics will include: Project Management, Risk Management and Digital Fundraising. These are all free to our charity members thanks to National Lottery Community Fund, click here to book a place.

Free 2-day National Online Charity training event
The FSI has just launched our latest 2-day online national training event on 9th and 10th February, offering over 180 free training places so that our small charities members, wherever they are, can access the skills they need to become self-sustaining. Choose from 9 interactive full and half-day webinars covering popular topics such as: Capital Campaigns, Stewardship, Fundraising Strategy and Digital Fundraising. Click here to secure a place.

VCSEs: Winning Central Government Contracts and the New Social Value Model
This free online event, hosted by VCSE Crown Representative Claire Dove CBE, is aimed at VCSE organisations interested in finding out more about the new Social Value Model and the opportunities it brings to the sector. Click here for dates and more details

New E-learning course and Bursary places available for International Development members
To celebrate the launch of our new E-Learning course, focusing on ‘Major Donor’, the FSI are offering 25 bursary places for 25 international development charities to access this interactive online course entirely free of charge. In order to be eligible for this opportunity your charity must be an International Development organisation who is also FSI member and have an annual turnover of less than £250,000. To apply please click here.

New £4m fund for charities and community groups tackling loneliness
Local Connections Fund is now open for application from charities and community interest groups that are working to help social isolation across their communities. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and The National Lottery Community Fund are investing £2 million each. This will be used to fund hundreds of ‘microgrants’ between £300 and £2,500, so small, local organisations. See here for more details on how to apply.

Community Business Renewal Fund now open for application
Power to Change has launched the Community Business Renewal Initiative, in response to the COVID-19 crisis and this £3million Community Business Renewal Fund is part of this support package for the community business sector. Application will be closed on 19th January. Click here for more details on how to apply.

Small Charity Guide to Cyber Security
It’s more important than ever to ensure your charity is as protected as possible from cybercrime threats and fraud. A good place to start is the National Cyber Security Centre’s Small Charity Guide. Click here to access the guide.