Civil Society Wishes for 2011 reveal sector leaders’ hopes for the New Year

Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, ACEVO chief Sir Stephen Bubb and the head of the RSA Matthew Taylor are among the top sector leaders who have contributed their hopes and ambitions for the sector in Civil Society Wishes for 2011, published online today by The Social Investment Business.

Leaders of national organisations, community groups and local social enterprises were asked to share their wishes for civil society organisations facing both tough challenges and incredible opportunities in the coming year.  The wishes include:

· better funding for the sector

· a multi-million pound endowment fund for a massive extension of youth volunteering

· more opportunities to contract with local and national government for the effective delivery of community programmes

Sir Stephen Bubb, Chair of The Social Investment Business said:

“The diversity and breadth of the hopes of leaders working in many different parts of the sector shows that despite the challenges facing the sector there remains real passion and commitment to supporting civil society organisations to grow and deliver even more in 2011.”

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1.    View the Civil Society Wishes for 2011 here: http://www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org/wishesfor2011/

2.    The contributors to Civil Society Wishes for 2011 are: ACEVO, The School for Social Entrepreneurs, ClearlySo, Local Partnerships, 3SC,The Social Investment Business, civil society organisations the Grace Incorporation Faith Trust, BASIC, The Jets Foundation, Sit 'N' 'B' Fit and Rt Hon David Blunkett MP.

3.  For further information or interviews, please contact The Social Investment Business press office:

Liz Banks - 0207 842 7726/ 07809 504072  liz.banks@socialinvestmentbusiness.org

Nicola Jones - 0207 842 7755 nicola.jones@socialinvestmentbusiness.org

4. The Social Investment Business, the fastest growing social investor in the UK, exists to help social enterprises, charities and community organisations do more of what they do best – supporting people and communities most in need. We help organisations prosper by providing innovative financial solutions, business support and long term strategic thinking.

www.thesocialinvestmentbusiness.org @TheSocialInvest

5. The Social Investment Business manages Government funds on behalf of the Office for Civil Society, the Department of Health and the Department for Communities and Local Government, with over 1,000 active investments. These range from £3,600 to help a small organisation bid successfully for a public sector contract, to £6.7million to help a large national charity establish and develop innovative new services for children and young people.