A new database has been established that will for the first time provide extensive information on the activities, structures and finances of all incorporated and regulated third sector organisations.
The new service will provide businesses, government and other public sector organisations, such as regional development agencies, with comprehensive insights, which include:
• identify third sector organisations that supply services of interest to local statutory bodies, including social welfare, health, sport and leisure, recycling etc
• undertake due diligence checks on third sector organisations prior to issuing expressions of interest and pre-qualification questionnaires
• identify targets for capacity building to increase the number of third sector organisations that are 'prepared' for service delivery
• identify third sector organisations that can help statutory bodies engage with local communities
• profile the third sector economy in a particular region
• identify third sector organisations that require capacity building in terms of training, support and advice
The database can also be used to identify social enterprises, including community interest companies and map funding sources and third sector assets within a particular region.
It has been launched by GuideStar Data Services CIC and Experian, the global information services company.
Experian has integrated its business information on established third sector organisations with Guidestar's data on charities and smaller specialist and local organisations, to create a unique, new database.
Les Hems, director of GuideStar, said: "Many third sector organisations have been disadvantaged because of the lack of objective, authoritative and comparable information available on them. This has presented difficulties in tendering processes, accessing funding and setting up credit relationships.
"This new database will open up this previously hidden sector, so that the wealth of resources that exist within it are made visible to government and private sector organisations alike. Those that will see the greatest benefits include local government agencies, business links and regional development agencies."
From Bubb's Blog
From Whitehall Watch
