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CAN Breakthrough highly commended by Charity Awards 2007

CAN’s pioneering social investment programme with the private equity firm Permira, has been highly commended by the prestigious Charity Awards.

Record entries were received by the UK’s largest and longest running awards, the Charity Awards, and Breakthrough received the commendation in the innovative grant-making category for ‘achieving a breakthrough for social enterprise’. The judges called the initiative an ‘interesting model, well-executed, and way ahead of target’.

Attended by almost 1,000 senior voluntary sector representatives and celebrities the awards encompass the wide range of charitable activity across the UK, with organisations ranging in size from those with a couple of volunteers operating on limited resources to the largest household names.

Now in their eighth year, the Charity Awards is the pre-eminent awards programme in the UK's vibrant and diverse voluntary sector. The Awards shine a spotlight on exceptional performance in the leadership and management of charities, helping to spread best practice and draw attention to the breadth of talent, commitment and expertise that exists within UK charities.

CAN is delighted to have come highly commended by such a prestigious award. Alan Ng, Assistant Director of CAN Social Investment was there to collect the award. “Social enterprises play a valuable role in their local communities and many can replicate their work to maximise their impact. Breakthrough helps organisations overcome barriers to growth and accelerate their social mission. We are delighted to receive such recognition.”

Breakthrough tackles issues such as management skill, information systems, lack of external stimulus to growth, stretched financial resources and lack of access to high-level business skill. With most government support focusing on start-up SEs, Breakthrough is able to have the greatest impact with these more established organisations. Processes and procedures for Breakthrough were designed based on learning from examples of social investment practice from leaders in the field internationally, particularly in the USA, with a philosophy of taking an active interest in the whole business, not just its balance sheet.

CAN CEO Adele Blakebrough, who also attended the event proudly added, “The award is wonderful recognition of the way we have been able to turn innovation, passion and vision into an effective project demonstrating considerable impact.”

For more details of all the winners and their projects see www.charityawards.co.uk

Posted 1 July 2007

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