Cardiff Third Sector Council (C3SC) is the infrastructure charity supporting the voluntary sector in Cardiff, and our Development team have years of experience in supporting organisations to set up, and run effectively, including sourcing sustainable funding, building capacity for long-term success, and making connections in the sector that form the basis for collaboration and partnership.
Recently, Ty Roots approached C3SC for our support to strengthen their resources via funding, and Thomas, one of our Development Officers took the time to sit with the group and offer one-to-one advice.
Founded in 2022, Ty Roots is a non-profit organisation with the aim to bridge the gap between the Eastern European community and the arts. Their focus lies in providing opportunities for children under underprivileged backgrounds to access classes and activities that will help them to develop their creativity, as well as their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
In seeking advice from C3SC, the group explained that they wanted to ensure that their funding bids were robust, realistic, and aligned with both funder expectations and their capacity as a growing organisation. Thomas provided advice and created a space for critical reflection, allowing the group to think more strategically about the organisation’s long-term structure, including the potential to move to a CIO model in the future.
A representative of the group told us, “Thomas helped us clarify our governance arrangements, strengthen our case for support, and think through the implications of different legal structures. One of the main challenges was balancing ambition with capacity, particularly as a small organisation delivering high-volume community work alongside fundraising. A key lesson learned was the importance of having clear governance, financial oversight, and long-term planning in place before scaling further. This work has had a positive impact on our Board, staff, freelancers, and the communities we serve, as it has increased our organisational resilience and funding success.”
In addition to the one-to-one advice, Ty Roots were also invited to attend the Grant Management in the Third Sector training delivered by C3SC in partnership with the National Lottery Community Fund. This provided an opportunity for the group to make a new connection with a board member who they have since developed a strong and ongoing working relationship with, further supporting and progressing their funding ambitions.
We’re pleased to reveal that since being supported by C3SC, and following the training which offered practical guidance, shared resources, peer learning and a space to build trusted sector connections, Ty Roots has gone on to secure the People and Places grant, as well as an additional Awards for All grant. The funding will go towards supporting cultural and residential trips for children.
Thomas, who has had the pleasure of supporting the group over the course of a few months said, “Ty Roots have achieved amazing things over the past few years and have become a vibrant community arts charity. Their achievements have shown what it is possible for a group of like minded people to achieve. I was delighted to have been able to support them to achieve all the successes they described!“
So, what’s next for Ty Roots? The group told us, “The next phase for Ty Roots focuses on strengthening our organisational structure and sustainability. We were fortunate to be awarded the Creative Steps Grant, which will support this crucial period of development. As part of this, we will be recruiting a Project Manager and an Operations and Finance Coordinator to increase our capacity, improve internal systems, and ensure strong financial oversight.”
We are very much looking forward to hearing more in the future and wish Ty Roots every success in their project currently supported by The National Lottery Community Fund’s People and Places grant. You can learn more about the group here.
If you would like advice, support and guidance into setting up or running your organisation, project or initiative, please get in touch with the team and we’ll be able to arrange our support for you and your group. Contact us at enquiries@c3sc.org.uk or call 02920 475 722.
