The Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI) is seeking views on a “long-term solution” to ensure the future needs of small charities can be met after it closes this year.
Last week, the small charity infrastructure body announced that it will close in spring due to funding constraints while looking to secure ongoing support for small charities through other means.
FSI has now said that it is looking to hold open discussions and consultation to “hear concerns, discuss existing provision available” and identify ways its legacy could be sustained in the future.
NCVO, which has recently partnered with the charity to deliver the legacy of the Small Charities Coalition, said that it will do what it can to support FSI but will not take on all of its services.
Ensuring FSI’s legacy
FSI said it has received an “outpouring” of support, with many organisations and people thanking it for its work over the years and rallying together to continue to support small charities.
“Conversations are ongoing between the FSI and NCVO along with input from small charity sector advocates, to ensure that the FSI’s legacy is not lost and that it continues to be driven by smalls, for smalls,” it said.
“Whilst this is an extremely busy time for our staff and board, what is clear is that we must not rush the plans for the FSI’s legacy. Time is required to understand how we can take a coordinated approach involving all voices in the sector, to ensure a sustainable and long term solution.”
Supported by NCVO and small charity sector advocates, FSI is planning to “hold open discussions and consultation to hear concerns, discuss existing provision available and very importantly identify ways the FSI’s legacy might be sustained in the future”.
The sessions will take place close to FSI’s closure in April and will explore as many options as possible to ensure its “legacy plan is fit for purpose and meets the needs of the small charity sector”.
“The FSI trustees are very positive about sharing training materials more widely across the small charities sector – this will form part of the proposed discussions,” it added.
NCVO: ‘We’re doing what we can to help’
In a LinkedIn post, NCVO said that numerous organisations have expressed concerns over the closure of FSI and what this means for the future of small charity infrastructure and support.
NCVO said that it shares these concerns, adding: “Given the FSI’s imminent closure, our immediate focus has been on supporting its board and ensuring the work they have created over the years is not lost in the closure. NCVO will never be ‘for small, by small’ but we want to use the strength that comes with being a larger organisation to do what we can to help.
“The long-term solution will not be for NCVO to deliver all of the FSI services. Instead we want to be a convenor and bring together the many individuals and organisations in the sector who share NCVO and the FSI’s vision for a thriving small charity sector.”
By collaborating, NCVO said, “we can find solutions for the FSI legacy that will meet the needs of small charities both now and in the long term”.
“We’re therefore supporting the FSI to bring together organisations to join in a conversation where we all talk openly about what the FSI has provided and what needs to be delivered both in the immediate weeks and months, and years to come.”
Individuals who would like to be involved in the discussions can register their interest here.
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