CIVICUS Civil Society Toolkits
CIVICUS aims to help civil society organisations to build their capacity and achieve their goals. Based on requests from members, CIVICUS has produced several toolkits to enable organisations to improve their capacity in a number of areas. From communications and planning skills to writing funding proposals, we hope that you will be able to get many useful tips, tools, and ideas to help strengthen your organisation.
http://www.civicus.org/new/content/civitoolkits2.h...
Time Bank
Time Banks UK is the national umbrella charity linking and supporting time banks across the country by providing inspiration, guidance and practical help
http://www.timebanks.co.uk/...
Community Interest Company Regulator
A website to help you understand the regulations around CIC's and register yourself.
http://www.cicregulator.gov.uk/...
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International
Skoll Foundation
Grants and development programmes supporting social entrepreneurial organisations internationally, from one of the founders of ebay.
http://www.skollfoundation.org ...
Social Enterprise Alliance
US membership organisation promoting social enterprise.
http://www.se-alliance.org ...
Schwab Foundation
Network of outstanding individual social enterpreneurs throughout the world, linked with the World Economic Forum, based in Switzerland.
http://www.schwabfound.org ...
Roberts Enterprise Development Fund
Organisation working with homeless people, that has pioneered social enterprise in the US. Lots of useful information on its experience and learning on the website.
http://www.redf.org ...
NESsT
Nonprofit organisations supporting the development of social enterprise in Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America.
http://www.nesst.org ...
LEAD
International fellowship of leaders in sustainable environmental development, based in London.
http://www.lead.org ...
Institute for Social Entrepreneurs
Provides training and consultancy services for social enterprises in the US.
http://www.socialent.org ...
Echoing Green
International fellowship of individual social entrepreneurs, based in the US.
http://www.echoinggreen.org...
Avina
Networks civil society and business leaders in Latin America.
http://www.avina.net ...
Acumen Fund
International fund based in the US, linking serious philanthropists with social innovators.
http://www.acumenfund.org...
Australasian Social Entrepreneur Network
Membership network of social entrepreneurs in Australia and New Zealand.
http://www.sen.org.au ...
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UK
Upstarts Awards
Annual award scheme for social enterprise and social entrepreneurs, run by the New Statesman and Society magazine.
http://www.newstatesman.co.uk/upstarts/upstartshom...
The Cat's Pyjamas
Training for people developing social enterprises, run by the successful Furniture Resource Centre in Liverpool.
http://www.the-cats-pyjamas.com ...
Sustainable Funding Project
Supporting voluntary organisations to develop diverse funding base. Based in NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations).
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/Asp/search/microsites/m...
Social Firms UK
National network, information and support for companies set up to create employment for disabled people.
http://www.socialfirms.co.uk ...
Social Enterprise Unit
Government department promoting social enterprise. Within the Department of Trade and Industry.
http://www.dti.gov.uk/socialenterprise ...
Social Enterprise London
Membership and support network for social enterprises in London.
http://www.sel.org.uk ...
Social Enterprise Coalition
National membership coalition representing the interests of social enterprises.
http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk ...
Re:Generate Trust
Charitable trust focused on working with communities on poverty relief, through 'listening matters' and 'training for transformation'.
http://www.regeneratetrust.com ...
Pilotlight
Supporting small innovative charities to fulfil their potential by linking up with business and enterprise.
http://www.pilotlight.org.uk ...
Philanthropy UK
Promoting new philanthropy amongst high earners.
http://www.philanthropyuk.org ...
Global Ideas Bank
A resource of socially innovative ideas.
http://www.globalideasbank.org ...
London Rebuilding Society
Provides loans to social enterprises in London.
http://www.londonrebuilding.com ...
Development Trusts Association
National network of community-led organisations which combine community based approaches with business expertise to foster local enterprise.
http://www.dta.org.uk ...
Community Development Finance Association
Trade association of community development finance institutions (CDFIs), providing financial investment in disadvantaged communities.
http://www.cdfa.org.uk ...
A Glimmer of Hope
Funds enterprising projects for the under 25s, internationally and in the UK.
http://www.aglimmerofhope.org/index.htm ...
Community Business Scotland Network
Practical support, research and development focused on community enterprise. Useful guidelines and reports on social enterprise, social capital and regeneration.
http://www.cbs-network.org.uk ...
Learning Direct
Learndirect provides online training courses aimed at small companies of 1-250 employees.
http://www.learndirect-business.co.uk...
Charities Aid Foundation
CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) can help your company devise, administer and deliver an effective community programme which will reflect both your corporate objectives and the interests of your employees, whether you are a multinational or a local business.
http://www.cafonline.org...
Scottish Learning Direct
Learndirect provides online training courses aimed at small companies of 1-250 employees.
http://www.lds4b.com...
Small Business Service
SBS is a government organisation seeking to promote small businesses, by working with others within Government and with people in the private and voluntary sectors. It has regional networks of advice centres run by local providers for small business around the UK, in:
http://www.sbs.gov.uk...
1) England: Business Link
Business Link is a national service that provides help and advice on all aspects of setting up and running a business; whether you're a sole trader or a business with 250 employees.
http://www.businesslink.org...
2) Wales: Business Connect Wales
Business Connect Wales provides information, advice and assistance available to small and medium sized businesses in Wales, including details of awards and funding available.
http://www.businessconnect.org.uk...
3) Northern Ireland: Invest Northern Ireland
Business advice for new and developing companies in Northern Ireland, including tailored development programmes.
http://www.investni.com...
4) Lowland Scotland: Small Business Gateway
The first point of call for all your business enquiries.
http://www.sbgateway.com...
5) Highland Scotland: Business Information Source
Meets the business needs of businesses and firms working in or interested in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
http://www.bis.uk.com...
Charity Commission
Register your organisation as a charity and other essential information.
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk...
Startups
This site is dedicated to everything you need to know about starting up and running your business.
http://www.startups.co.uk...
Volresource
Advice on starting up a voluntary organisation.
http://www.volresource.org.uk/briefs/starting.htm...
The Big Boost
The Big Boost supports budding social entrepreneurs in England, aged between 11 - 25
http://www.thebigboost.org.uk...
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Unltd Partners
School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE)
Year long action learning programmes for potential social entrepreneurs. Associate schools in various parts of the UK.
http://www.sse.org.uk ...
Senscot
Scottish network of social entrepreneurs.
http://www.senscot.net ...
Ashoka
An international fellowship of social entrepreneurs, with its headquarters in the US, it promotes the development of the profession of social entrepreneurship.
http://www.ashoka.com ...
Community Action Network (CAN)
On-line network of social entrepreneurs throughout the UK.
http://www.can-online.org.uk ...
Changemakers
Encourages young people to take the initiative and tackle issues they are concerned about.
http://www.changemakers.org.uk ...
Comic Relief
International and UK grant maker, funds raised from red nose day.
http://www.comicrelief.org.uk ...
Scarman Trust
Provide practical assistance to local people to bring about change from within communities.
http://www.thescarmantrust.org ...
