“The Finance Hub has achieved what it set out to do and improved resources for the voluntary sector” concludes independent evaluation

An independent evaluation by Anderson & Gollan Associates on the work and achievements of the Finance Hub between 2005 and 2008 published today, has concluded that the organisation has “achieved the objectives set for them” by ChangeUp, “and significantly improved the range of funding and finance resources available throughout England.”

Anderson and Gollan Associates carried out research in February 2008 by interviewing delivery agents, board members, staff, service users and other stakeholders.

The evaluation found that:

• The vast majority of people who had attended a Finance Hub training course felt strongly that they were now able to advise on a wider range of funding opportunities as a result.
• The Finance Hub managed 13 organisations over a 16- month period to deliver a portfolio of ambitious projects; the Finance Hub management team was both supportive and professional in their approach.
• The materials and services produced by the three delivery agents in Year 2 made a significant contribution to the Finance Hub achieving its strategic objectives. There is real evidence that these projects are continuing to have a positive effect both in the skills training to frontline advisors and in influencing policymakers.
• It has not been possible in the lifetime of the Finance Hub to measure the overall impact that these projects have made and it is hoped that Capacitybuilders’ work will pick up some of the trends that emerged, particularly from the work that was undertaken by the Finance Hub in     year 3.

Sharon Gollan from Anderson and Gollan Associates commented on the findings of the evaluation saying; “We found that the Finance Hub had been very successful in achieving what it set out to do. This achievement marks the start of a process that could be rolled out to benefit a much larger audience. The Finance Hub programme has produced a wealth of information and resources that support a greater understanding of funding and finance in the voluntary and community sector”.

The Charities Aid Foundation has been the accountable body for the Finance Hub and 13 organisations provided a broad range of expertise through a management board. Russell Prior, Chair of the Finance Hub said: “I am pleased with the achievements of the Finance Hub. We have been extremely keen to share what we have learned and continue to make all research and tools developed available on the website so that the sector can to benefit from this three year programme of work”.

Whilst acknowledging the criticism of the hubs the evaluation report shows this was primarily because the sector felt the hubs were forced upon them rather than the work of the Finance Hub.

Funded by Capacitybuilders the Finance Hub is one of six National Hubs offering support and information to the voluntary sector. The report highlights Capacitybuilders’ view that they can learn from the Finance Hub programme; the dynamism and expertise of the Finance Hub board coupled with the professionalism of its personnel was used constructively for the benefit of the sector.

For further details contact:
Sharon Gollan, Partner,
Anderson & Gollan Associates
Tel: 0191 3892888
Email: sharon@ag-associates.co.uk  
Website: www.ag-associates.co.uk