A number of charities and voluntary organisations are going to be taking a major step forward, thanks to a new grant from the Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office today.

Thirty-two third sector organisations across England will receive early awards of up to £10,000 under the Government’s Real Help for Communities modernisation fund.

The grants are to support organisations with plans to collaborate and merge, to better respond to the economic climate and the changing demands on charities.

The £10,000 can be used for the costs of merger or collaboration, such as legal fees. Up to 500 grants will be made in total. Organisations that have completed the first phase of the programme have until 9th November to apply.

Two organisations that are being given funds to move towards further collaboration are the Chesterfield Citizens Advice Bureau and Chesterfield Law Centre.

They have established an identical triage and booking system, making better use of IT. There is also increased working across the two organisations and they have developed out of hours services and an outreach in GP surgeries.

Angela Smith, minister for the Third Sector, said: “We have the best third sector in the world, and the Government is committed to support those organisations that are meeting challenges in this changing world.

"The Modernisation Fund – part of the Real Help for Communities Action Plan – means that third sector organisations that are looking to merge or collaborate will get a £10,000 grant to pay essential costs.”

The grant is being administered by Capacitybuilders for the Office of the Third Sector.

The programme has already offered over one thousand £1,000 bursaries to organisation across England to take the first steps in exploring collaboration and merger.

Matt Leach, chief executive of Capacitybuilders, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to make early grant awards to these organisations, all of whom already have well progressed plans for collaboration or merger.

"The number of the applications we have received to date reflect the growing need for third sector organisations to respond to the future challenges – particularly in forming partnerships that strengthen their ability to bid for contracts for services.”