Meet the Funders event deemed a success

There was standing room only as people began arriving to meet face to face with the representives from national lottery, government, independent trusts, European Union and corporate funders. In total 24 funding exhibitors provided information on approximately £500m worth of funding.

The event was organised by NICVA to help kick start fundraising in 2009 by bringing together a range of funders of voluntary and community organisations and individuals active in their community.

NICVA's Grant Tracker team invited a large number of local and national funders to participate and is grateful to those who accepted and participated in this event. In was certainly appreciated by the very many groups in attendance. Many attendees expressed very positive feedback about the helpfulness of the funders in the room.

In response to the demand for this event and the need to enable as many organisations across Northern Ireland to meet the funders, NICVA is organising a repeat event likely to take place in April.

"We will most likely take the event to Derry and are currently looking at venues," said Neil Irwin, Member Services Manager at NICVA. "We also will organise other events in the year to help charities, clubs and other voluntary and community organisations to fundraise, not just from grant-making organisations."

Neil added: "The whole purpose of these events is not to boost the coffers of charities, but to provide funding to help those who are most disadvantaged in our society."