How Do We Get There?

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To achieve our aims, we will need:

  1. Effective funding programmes
  2. A lobbying strategy and communications campaign
  3. A Major Gift fundraising campaign

 

  1. Effective funding programmesa) Transformation support programmeTransformation support grants assist existing schools with transformation to integrated status. We plan to provide around £4 million to help 30 schools make the move during the next five years. To be eligible for a grant, a school should be able to meet the Department of Education’s Sustainable Schools criteria. We hope to assist each school with the costs incurred before it makes its decision to become integrated – for example, the provision of
    Literature, meetings and workshops.

    We also want to offer continuing assistance with development programmes for staff, parents and governors. Other support may include funding for marketing and additional transport requirements.

    b) Schools capital fund

    In areas where transformation of existing education arrangements is not possible, we plan to be able to draw on a £4 million Schools Capital Fund to support and invest in viable new-build schools.

    Previously, capital expenditure was provided by a Club Bank loan facility which was underwritten by the IEF. The Club Bank facility no longer exists and a new capital fund would enable us to support the advance purchase of new sites and also provide financial guarantees to new schools which have received conditional Department of Education approval and want to reassure parents that they will meet full approval.

    In addition, we need a contingency to pay the recurrent and capital costs of schools where these are not met by the Department. Costs for these independent schools can amount to £1 million per college and £250,000 per primary per annum.

    c) Existing schools programme

    We aim to provide approximately £4 million to support and develop existing integrated schools. This is to create additional places including preschools or sixth forms, and support the quality of integrated education through Integration In Practice programmes. We also would like to encourage the extended use of integrated schools by the community.

    d) IMPACT programme – bridging the divide

    We want to have available £2.5 million in grants to encourage all schools to come forward with innovative ideas for working together and challenging the traditional divide in education. Grants would be provided for one, two and three year projects. The IMPACT fund would also support shared management, joint church schools or shared sixth form initiatives.

    e) Community Capacity Fund

    We intend to make available a Community Capacity Fund of £1.5 million to support parental demand for integrated education in local communities. This would invest in independent assessments of demand and would help to influence any future area-based planning initiatives by the government.

  2. Lobbying and Communicationsa) Lobbying StrategyA lobbying strategy is essential if we are to influence opinion and win greater political support in the NI assembly, Westminster, the Irish Parliament and internationally.

    Our strategy will use existing donors, advocates and influencers with expertise in business, fundraising, politics and community development to make the case that society benefits from schools that serve the whole community.

    The aim is to make integrated education an essential part of political policy and less reliant on charitable support.

    b) Communications Campaign

    A communications campaign will significantly raise the profile of integrated education and the work of the IEF. The aim will be to improve understanding, dispel myths, increase funding and inform communities about the grants available.

    The communications campaign will run hand-in-hand with our fundraising campaign and will use every promotional tool at our disposal.

    The campaign will be overseen by a voluntary Strategic Communications group and will use the expertise of supporters for the benefit of the five year development plan.

    We estimate that to be effective, the combined cost of both of the above initiatives will be around £1.25 million.

  3. A Major Gift fundraising campaignEvery aim we have set out in this five-year plan will depend upon raising at least £20 million during the period it covers. This is no easy target, but we are certain it can be achieved.The campaign will be based primarily upon a group of donors willing to give major or sizeable gifts who will then help to unlock further gifts from friends, colleagues and peers.

    The campaign will be run by an executive Fundraising Team and will be overseen by a Campaign Council representing key donors and supporters. Regional Volunteer Teams will galvanise support in their respective areas.

    The campaign will raise money as efficiently as possible while keeping costs to a minimum.