Small groups do not get their share of voluntary sector funding, VSI report - Voluntary Sector - Brief Article

OTTAWA -- Small organizations make up the largest part of the voluntary sector but do not receive a proportional share of the resources available, says a report from the Voluntary Sector Initiative.

VSI, a five-year project of the federal government and the voluntary sector, has two categories for small organizations: voluntary and agencies. The distinguishing characteristic is that agencies have ongoing infrastructure costs related to sustaining services on a regular basis.

The categories encompass groups with budgets of up to $100,000 ranging from self-help groups, choirs and conservation groups to anti-poverty advocacy groups, ethnic associations, heritage societies, minor baseball leagues, women's groups, local food banks, residents' associations, seniors' organizations, and arts groups.

Through focus groups involving 19 agencies and 21 voluntary organizations, VSI learned that for organizations, success was defined as:

* information and support

* civic pride

* co-operation with other groups

* public education on local issues.

Agencies put more focus on flexibility, good management, community spirit and grassroots knowledge of the community and its needs.

Top problems for both types of organizations included:

* volunteers

* grants

* government policies such as downloading,

* fundraising and marketing

* a paper burden out of proportion to the group's income.

Focus group participants made recommendations regarding infrastructure support, including computer hardware and technical services, and the need to address liability of voluntary sector groups.

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