Before ASCEND got involved
GDP was established in 2011 and for the first 5 years or so it was an entirely voluntary organisation. Before working with A5cend, GDP had applied twice to the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) for a Reaching Communities grant. Their proposals met the criteria and BIG liked what they were doing, but the grant applications were turned down because GDP lacked the necessary infrastructure.
Their need
GDP found itself in a ‘chicken-and-egg’ situation. It’s work had been extremely well-received and had even achieved national recognition. But GDP lacked sustainable income to support the volunteers who were doing all of the work. Despite handling around 900 volunteers per year, GDP had no office, no paid staff and no formal systems in place. Yet without staff and a proper infrastructure, it was struggling to secure larger-scale funding.
GDP identified that in order to become sustainable it would need a project manager, an engagement team, an administration team, an office and some equipment. But convincing BIG that it was able to do this was tricky.