The Assembly Government is working to strengthen its collaboration with the Third Sector in Wales through supporting organisations such as the Community Foundation in Wales, Social Justice Minister Dr Brian Gibbons has said.
The Community Foundation in Wales is an independent charity that distributes grants to community groups and voluntary organisations throughout Wales. The money for the grants comes from a wide variety of sources, including the Foundation’s own endowed funds.
The Minister’s comments were made at an event to highlight the work the organisation does in supporting community and voluntary groups throughout Wales.
Dr Gibbons said the work of the Foundation is a valued part of the infrastructure of the Third Sector in Wales.
He said:
Voluntary and community organisations fashion the type of society we live in. They provide services that the public and private sectors often cannot. The Assembly Government is committed to championing the sector’s interests at the highest level and to strengthening and promoting specialist Third Sector services available in Wales. Organisations such as the Community Foundation will help us achieve this.
The Minister added:
Our Strategic Action Plan for the Voluntary Sector Scheme sets out how the Welsh Assembly Government will work with the sector including providing continued financial support.
The Foundation is keen to support the delivery of our action plan by helping to raise public awareness about tax-efficient methods of giving to increase income to the third sector and working with the private sector to enhance its contribution.
The Welsh Assembly Government has recently confirmed a three-year funding package of core-funding worth £184,000 for the Community Foundation in Wales and I hope the grant investment will continue to support the growth of the Foundation to the benefit of the community and voluntary sector.