The influence of statutory funding on a voluntary service delivery organization

The thesis describes an investigation into the influence of statutory funding on a voluntary service agency, using an approach not previously found in the literature. Over three years an in-depth case study was undertaken of a parent-led organization established on the basis of a range of short-term statutory funding, intended to provide a variety of services to people with a mental handicap and their families. In the exploration of the influence of statutory funding on organizational structure and process several methods of data collection were used i.e. documentary evidence; observation; informal discussions; interviews with service users and providers. The thesis considers both actual and potential statutory funding sources, since the search for long-term funding proved at least as influential upon the organization as the sources of short-term statutory funding already obtained. [Continues.]