Funding Central has launched an area dedicated to supporting funders, commissioners and loan finance providers with the aim of – helping to bring the two groups together to improve the quality of funding bids and tenders.

The Funder Zone will be an exclusive password protected area and features a range of tools.

These are designed to give funders and commissioners insight into what frontline organisations are saying about their funds.

It will also help them to disseminate best practice and information about their funding, contract and loan finance opportunities.

Funders will also be able to add new funding and finance opportunities plus hints and tips to improve the application process for fund-seekers.

The Funder Zone also features an ‘analytical dashboard’ that allows funders and commissioners to view headline figures of the levels of activity relevant to their funds and contract tenders.

It will also show an analysis of the social needs articulated by fund seekers. The ‘dashboard’ will help funders and commissioners to quickly and easily gain insight into how frontline groups are responding to their funding opportunities.

This will enable funders and commissioners to use this information to tailor future funding programmes and contract tenders in response to more clearly identified needs.

Graham Collins, sustainable funding programme manager at NCVO, said: “Funders and commissioners are keen to know how their programmes are viewed by applicants and equally keen to improve the process – now they can and do so in one place”

Since its launch on 17 June, Funding Central keeps on growing and has over 8,800 registered users and has experienced more than six million hits, with thousands of people visiting the site on a daily basis to sample its comprehensive resources.

Funding Central is a free website for the whole of the voluntary and community sector that provides access to more than 4,000 funding and finance opportunities, plus a wealth of tools and resources, it has already quickly established itself as a one-stop shop for the third sector.

Visit www.fundingcentral.org.uk